Cricket: Blow for Aussies as McGrath sidelined

Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath was ruled out of the second test against England after suffering a unusual injury while warming up for the Edgbaston match.

McGrath, a key member of the world champions' line-up, stepped on a ball while preparing with the rest of the squad on the pitch.

He was helped from the outfield by his team-mates before the team's medical staff announced he would not be fit to play. He was replaced by Michael Kasprowicz.

McGrath was man-of-the match in Australia's 239-run victory in the first test at Lord's. where he took nine wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the first innings.

Australia won the toss last night and sent England into bat.

Meanwhile, skipper Ricky Ponting says last month's bombings in London have not unsettled his squad, despite comments from paceman Jason Gillespie suggesting he would abandon the series in the event of another terror strike.

Gillespie told an Australian radio station he would seriously consider quitting the tour if there was a third attack in England, and he urged his team-mates to do the same.

The Australian team were in England on July 8 when a series of bombs on London's Underground train network and a bus killed 56.

They were playing the opening day of the Ashes series at Lord's on July 22 when the London transport system was locked down again following a failed attempt at a second co-ordinated bombing - including one near the Oval, venue for the fifth test.

Ponting said security issues had not been raised at recent team meetings. "We've always been guided by the experts on those issues. It's been made pretty clear in the last five or six years that the safety and security of the Australian team will not be [compromised].

"We had a few meetings in London earlier, but that was the last of it. It's certainly not a distraction at the moment."

Gillespie's comments contradicted that.

Ponting said Gillespie had the right to express his concerns, but added that those views did not reflect the opinion of the whole squad.

"We all know the position Cricket Australia are taking. Jason is well aware of the position the team have on it [but] everyone will have different views."

- REUTERS