Cricket: Australians facing life without McGrath

BIRMINGHAM: Australian paceman Glenn McGrath is hoping to make a comeback for the fourth Ashes test at worst, after suffering an unusual ankle injury while warming up for the second match of the series.

McGrath is on crutches after accidentally stepping on a cricket ball and suffering a suspected ligament tear just before Thursday's toss at Edgbaston.

"I realised before I hit the ground that I was out of the match," he said.

"I was passing a rugby ball about with [reserve wicketkeeper] Brad Haddin. There was quite a sharp pain. To be optimistic, I'm aiming for Trent Bridge at worst."

The fourth test starts on August 26.

After the mishap, McGrath was taken to hospital for x-rays, which showed no fracture.

Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said it was impossible to say when he would be back.

"How long is a piece of string? There is no normal time for this injury. It's too early to say."

McGrath, man of the match in Australia's first test win, was helped on to a buggy by his team-mates and taken to hospital before it was announced, with 10 minutes to go before the toss, that he would not be fit to play.

 

"It's just one of those things," he said. "I have had plenty of ankle injuries before, but usually it's the left one. That's probably worse because it's your front foot, so hopefully that is a good thing."

During Australia's 239-run win at Lord's, McGrath, 35, took nine for 82 to pass 500 wickets in his career.

England were far more impressive in scoring 407 at Edgbaston yesterday after being put in. It was their best score on the first day of a test against any opposition since World War II.

They scored at more than five an over throughout, the batsmen hitting 10 sixes and 54 fours in 79.2 overs.

England dominated the morning and afternoon sessions, galloping at a one-day pace to reach 289 for four at tea, with Marcus Trescothick making 90.

Kevin Pietersen, with a run-a-ball 71, and Andrew Flintoff, with an even quicker 68, including five sixes and six fours, put on a century stand for the fifth wicket to keep England on top.

- REUTERS