Who will have the last laugh?

Captain Ricky Ponting told a news conference: “Glenn was asked to bowl two spells yesterday (Tuesday) and got through those really well.

“He almost plays as two bowlers in our team. He’s probably our main strike bowler up Front with the new ball and at the same time you can call on him to bowl some tight overs later.

He’s a vital player.” Ponting said McGrath was sure of his fitness but added: “I wouldn’t take him at 60 or 70 percent fitness. He has to be right to bowl not just on Thursday morning but every morning of the match.”

When asked by reporters whether he feared for his job if they failed to retain the Ashes, he said, “I should not be made into a scapegoat we do not retain the Ashes.”

“I would hate to think if we lost this series it is only my fault, all coming back to me,” Ponting said.

“Around the team I would have thought I have done most things right along the way,” said Australia’s captain.

“At the end of the day, it is all of us. We are all responsible for the way we have played,” he added.