Print

Mail

wiki links

Australia under pressure as McGrath, Lee rebound

Australian pace bowler Brett Lee, center, celebrates with team-mates after dismissing England's Andrew Strauss on the first day of the third Ashes Test at Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester yesterday. The series is currently drawn at 1-1. PHOTO: AFP

Glenn McGrath made a shock return from an injured ankle and Brett Lee overcame a serious knee infection to give Australia a full-strength bowling attack in the third Ashes test against England.

McGrath and Lee should open the bowling for Australia Thursday after England captain Michael Vaughan won the toss and decided to bat.

McGrath was man-of-the-match with nine wickets in Australia's series-opening 239-run win at Lord's, then missed the second test when he damaged his right ankle in a freak training mishap about an hour before play was due to start at Edgbaston.

He need crutches on the weekend and was still limping heavily on Monday.

"Glenn had a good run around this morning and is fit for the game, so that's great news," Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said.

Lee spent two nights in a Birmingham hospital receiving treatment for an infection in his left knee before rejoining the Australian squad on the eve of the match.

Both pacemen bowled in a practice session Wednesday afternoon, when Lee was declared fit. McGrath passed a fitness test on Thursday morning.

England retained the same XI that won last week's second test by two runs -- the narrowest test win in Ashes history -- holding off a rearguard fightback that added 104 for the last two wickets.

England hasn't been in such a competitive position in an Ashes series since 1997, when it opened the series with a win and a draw.

With the frontline pace attack restored, some pressure should be lifted from Australian legspinner Shane Warne, who is one short of his 600th test wicket.

Warne has taken 17 wickets in his previous two tests at Manchester, including the so-called "ball of the century" to dismiss Mike Gatting in 1993.
This story has been viewed 1185 times.