BIRMINGHAM (England), Aug 5: Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath said he hoped to be fit in time for the fourth Test against England after a bizarre injury ruled him out of the second match of the series at Edgbaston last Thursday. The spearhead of Australia’s attack trod on a cricket ball laid out on the outfield for one of the team’s pre-match fielding drills an hour-and-a-quarter minutes before the start, as he turned to pick up a rugby ball.

He tore ligaments in his right ankle and after lying on the turf for several minutes before his team-mates helped him into a buggy. After he’d returned from hospital, McGrath - whose place was taken by fellow seamer Michael Kasprowicz - saw England pile up 407 all out on the first day.

By contrast, at Lord’s last month, England were twice bowled out for under 200, man-of-the-match McGrath returning figures of nine for 82 on his way to becoming only the fourth man to take 500 Test wickets.

After stumps Australia physiotherapist Errol Alcott refused to ruled McGrath out of the third Test, even though that starts at Old Trafford on Thursday. But the 35-year-old bowler himself said his target was Trent Bridge, where the fourth Test is due to begin on August 25.

“I was just out there with Brad Haddin (reserve wicket-keeper) passing the ball rugby style,” McGrath, told reporters at a post-play news conference where he came in on crutches.

“The ball skidded past me, I turned to run and pick it up and the first step just planted my foot straight on top of a cricket ball and straight down. It was as simple as that.

“I’m confident I can hopefully be right for Trent Bridge. That’s what I’m aiming for, at worst,” the 110-Test veteran added.—AFP