KEY POINTS:
ADELAIDE - Australia and England will today keep a close eye on some key players ahead of the second Ashes cricket test in Adelaide, which starts on Friday.
The Australian selectors will closely monitor the bowling performance of Glenn McGrath at training today, as the 36-year-old champ was troubled by a heel problem during the first Test in Brisbane.
Australia won that match by 277 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
The doubts over McGrath's ability to back up in back-to-back tests prompted the selectors to add Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson to the side which won at the Gabba, although there's unlikely to be any changes if McGrath is passed fit.
England will watch to see whether Steve Harmison has improved after his first test shocker, having spent a one-on-one session with bowling coach Kevin Shine yesterday.
With Harmison's first-ball wide in Brisbane already part of Ashes folklore England's strike-bowler underwent a net session behind closed doors, trying to rediscover his rhythm and boost England's chances for the second test.
The tourists are also considering playing spinner Monty Panesar alongside fellow spinner Ashley Giles, which would mean one of pacemen Harmison, Matthew Hoggard and James Anderson would be dropped.
England hierarchy will also keep track of progress in Perth, where sidelined captain Michael Vaughan will play his first competitive match for six months.
Vaughan has been sidelined by knee troubles, but will play for an England Academy side against a Western Australian second 11 in a one-day match in Perth.
- AAP
