LONDON, Sept 2: Stuart MacGill is “very much in the equation” to play alongside fellow leg spinner Shane Warne in the fifth and final Test against England, according to Australia coach John Buchanan.

Buchanan said he expected MacGill, who has spent much of his career in Warne’s shadow and who did not feature in the first four Tests, to be given a long bowl in the two-day tour match against Essex starting on Saturday at Chelmsford.

“This game will be important for him. He hasn’t bowled a lot although I guess we’ll be monitoring his fitness and what he has been doing. Hopefully he’ll get plenty of overs at Essex.”

The Oval, the venue of the final Test starting next Thursday, traditionally provides wickets offering bounce.

“That aids both pace bowlers who hit the deck and spin bowlers because they get bounce with turn,” Buchanan added.

“Therefore, I am sure (chairman of selectors) Trevor Hohns would say Stuart Macgill is very much in the equation.”

England lead the series 2-1 and have dominated the last three Tests. Australia have won the last eight series and need to win at The Oval to retain the Ashes.

MacGill, 34, has an excellent record against England, having taken 39 wickets at 24.71 runs apiece against them. He has played 33 Tests in all.

Buchanan conceded that England had set the agenda during the series since the world champions won the first Test.

“They have set plans and they have stuck to those. Therefore, we have come to their plans. That’s why you will find most of our players are generally getting a start but then ultimately they are netted by an England plan,” he said.

Jones fitS

Meanwhile, England bowler Simon Jones is on track to be fit for next week’s fifth and final Test against Australia, team-mate Kevin Pietersen has revealed.

Jones has been struggling with an ankle injury he suffered during England’s 4th Test victory over their oldest rivals.

But Pietersen said Friday he expected Jones to be ready in time for Thursday’s start at The Oval.—Agencies