MELBOURNE, Oct 4: Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath is doubtful for next week’s first Test against Zimbabwe after struggling to regain full fitness following ankle surgery.

The lanky paceman said he had suffered soreness in his left ankle after training on the hard practice wickets in the Western Australia capital city of Perth.

“Obviously it would be better if I played totally pain-free. That’s what we’re trying to aim for now,” McGrath told reporters.

“I don’t think I’ll go into this test if there’s a chance I won’t make it through. I’m a little bit unhappy with the way it’s gone today,” the 33-year-old added.

“I was hoping it would be a lot better. With the bowls I’ve had back in Sydney it’s felt really good and I couldn’t (have been) happier.”

The Perth wicket is one of the fastest in Test cricket. McGrath’s likely absence will leave quick bowlers Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie in charge of the new-ball attack with regular back-up Andy Bichel expected to win a recall as first-change.

McGrath said he was keen to pace himself over the season which includes home Test series against Zimbabwe and India in 2003-04 followed by a tour of India next September.

McGrath, Test cricket’s sixth-leading bowler with 430 wickets from 95 matches, had surgery on his chronic ankle complaint in August.

“I’d like to go into this season 100 percent. If it’s too much less than that then there’s no real point,” McGrath said.

“It’s 18 months on the track now before we get another decent break so I want to get it right, even if it takes a couple more months.”—Reuters