McGrath fitness worry may test Aussies

AUSTRALIAN selectors yesterday opted for bowling cover ahead of Friday’s second Ashes cricket Test, amid doubts over Glenn McGrath’s ability to get through back-to-back Test matches with a heel problem.

South Australian speedster Shaun Tait and Queensland left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson were named in a 13-man squad for the Adelaide Test as insurance for McGrath. There was no room for leg-spinner Stuart MacGill.

The 36-year-old McGrath left the field several times during Sunday’s fourth day of the first Gabba Test to have his left heel treated with painkiller.

He came back to bowl on the final day as Australia wrapped up a 277-run victory over England in the first of the five-Test series.

With only three days between the opening two Tests, selectors sought to have the two fast bowlers on standby, though Australia is expected to keep the same 11 if everyone is passed fit.

McGrath spent Tuesday resting his heel, and will have a more strenuous test at training today in extreme heat, however team-mate Mike Hussey was confident the veteran would play.

“Glenn was (last night) icing his heel, but I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Hussey said yesterday.

“He was able to keep bowling, which was a good sign for Australia.”

Australia’s strong playing depth meant there was no room for leg-spinner MacGill in the second Test squad.

Stuart Clark and McGrath both took seven wickets at the Gabba, and while Brett Lee was down on his efforts from the past year, Australian bowling coach Troy Cooley expected him to roar back to full throttle.

If McGrath is ruled out it will create a contest between Tait and Johnson.

Johnson was nominated 12th man at the Gabba but Tait’s swing, pace and good record in Adelaide might earn him the nod. Tait conceded his only chance of playing in this week’s Test was if McGrath did not recover.

“If he’s looking like he might not play, it’s a better chance for me maybe,” Tait said. “The way McGrath is, he’s a tough character, so he always does his best to get (over) his injuries.

“I’m sure the physio and the medical staff will be doing everything they can to get him on the park.

“They dominated in Brisbane and they’re a lesser side without him.”

Hussey reinforced Australia’s vow that the world champions would aim not to fall into complacency after a big first-up win, as it did after Lord’s in 2005.

“England can definitely bounce back and I think the conditions in Adelaide might suit them more than the pace and bounce of the Brisbane wicket,” Hussey said.

“Their batters may enjoy playing in Adelaide a lot more and that might help them score more runs in the first innings, where the game was probably won and lost in Brisbane.

“There’s definitely no complacency from our point of view and I’m sure England will hit back and play well.”

England has also drawn on the similarities with the last series. McGrath led Australia to a 239-run victory at Lord’s in 2005, but after he pulled out of the second Test at Edgbaston with an ankle injury, the visitors lost the Test and eventually the series.