Doubts remain over McGrath’s participation in First Test

MELBOURNE, December 25: Australia will keep South Africa guessing until one hour before the start of the first cricket Test here tomorrow o...

MELBOURNE, December 25: Australia will keep South Africa guessing until one hour before the start of the first cricket Test here tomorrow on whether strike bowler Glenn McGrath will play.

McGrath had another centre wicket workout on Christmas day and emerged unscathed as he battles to prove his fitness from complications of an old hernia operation.

“I think we’ll probably find McGrath playing. Guys over here tend to play even though they’re half-injured,”said South African captain Hansie Cronje today.

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The South Africans have had the better preparation with two productive four-day match draws following an impressive start to the Triangular One-day series.

Taylor and Healy are back, allowing the third member of the Australian team’s senior trio, Steve Waugh, to concentrate on regaining the form that made him the world’s number one batsman for two years.

“There’s going to be a great rivalry there but a friendly rivalry,” said Taylor today. “Both teams like winning and hate losing, they’re a similar race of people to us and take their sport very seriously.”

Australia will be without young speedster Jason Gillespie (back), left-arm spinner Michael Bevan (dropped) and probably McGrath.

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All-rounder Lance Klusener replaces Fanie de Villiers while Shaun Pollock is above Craig Matthews.

Coach Bob Woolmer, the former England batsman, quickly cautioned: “At the moment we have enough hype in the side.”

“Whether McGrath plays or not, we have still got some very good quicks in (Michael) Kasprowicz, (Simon) Cook, (Paul) Reiffel and (Andy) Bichel. The outfield’s often slow so runs are at a premium and a 50 or 60 here can be as good as 100,” said Taylor.

Teams:
Australia: Mark Taylor (Captain), Matthew Elliott, Greg Blewett, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Ian Healy, Paul Reiffel, Shane Warne, Michael Kasprowicz, Simon Cook, Andrew Bichel, Glenn McGrath.

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South Africa: Gary Kirsten, Adam Bacher, Jacques Kallis, Daryll Cullinan, Hansie Cronje (captain), Brian Mcmillan, Shaun Pollock, Lance Klusener, Dave Richardson, Pat Symcox, Allan Donald, Herschelle Gibbs.