McGrath bats and fields but does not bowl at training by CricketArchive staff reporter

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Player:	GD McGrath
Event:	England in Australia 2006/07

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DateLine: 30th November 2006

 

Glenn McGrath did not bowl in the nets as the Australian team trained in Adelaide Wednesday ahead of Friday's second Ashes Test against England at Adelaide Oval. The ageing pace spearhead spent extended time batting in the nets, first against the quicks and then taking throwdowns, but did not bowl. He later walked out to the centre of the oval for some fielding practice and is yet to prove his left heel has sufficiently recovered from the bruising that curtailed him in the second innings in the first Brisbane Test. Team physio Alex Kountouris, chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch and captain Ricky Ponting are all expected to watch him bowl at Australia's final training on Thursday. Batsman Matthew Hayden said he was in little doubt 36-year-old McGrath would take his place in the team. "He's in good spirit, Glenn has got a few days to recover as well," Hayden told reporters. "We're certain of the fact he's going to be playing a huge part in this Test match." McGrath hit back at his critics when he took 6-50 in the first innings of the Gabba Test. But selectors have named two extra pacemen Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson in case McGrath is not deemed fit enough to last five days of the Adelaide Test.