McGrath Set to Rejoin Windies Tour

Glenn McGrath was expected to rejoin the Australian cricket team in the West Indies after receiving positive news about wife Jane's cancer.

The Australian fast bowler returned home last week after his wife had been diagnosed with a secondary cancer infection in her hip. It is her second battle against cancer in six years.

But Australian Cricket Board (ACB) spokesman Pat O'Beirne said on Monday McGrath told the board's general manager Michael Brown on Monday a cancer specialist had given them positive news.

"Jane has seen the specialist and the news is good," O'Beirne said. "The visit brought a good prognosis and she will have radiation therapy which is expected to treat her condition. As far as the McGraths are concerned it is great news."

O'Beirne could not confirm reports that McGrath would miss at least the first two Tests against the West Indies, the first starting in Guyana on Thursday.

He said McGrath was expected to make his announcement following discussions over the next 24 to 48 hours that would involve the bowler, selectors, captain Steve Waugh and team management.

McGrath learned during a team stopover in London that scans for a back problem had revealed his wife's condition.

McGrath's manager Warren Craig said English-born Jane, 36, a former flight attendant and mother of James 3, and Holly, 18 months, had been troubled by back problems.

Despite the diagnosis, Craig said McGrath had been in a positive mood and the 33-year-old bowler believed he would return to the West Indies.

* From wire reports.