Glenn McGrath looks likely to play in the 5th Test at The Oval, and says he's determined to make Australia's starting XI "unless his arm falls off".

Australia's premier pace bowler, who missed the 4th Test at Trent Bridge with an elbow injury, came through two bowling spells in the nets on Tuesday, but still has to be cleared to play by physiotherapist Errol Alcott.

"Glenn was able to complete what was asked of him at today's [Tuesday's] practice session," Alcott said. "But as part of his overall management we will wait until Wednesday before making a final decision."

McGrath's fitness is critical to Australia's team selection. If he plays the tourists will employ their preferred four-man attack. But his absence would probably mean Australia's selectors going for five bowlers, perhaps with Stuart Clark and Stuart MacGill both playing, and Adam Gilchrist batting at six with either Matthew Hayden or Simon Katich carrying the drinks.

"Certainly it is an option," Trevor Hohns, the chairman of selectors, said in The Courier-Mail when asked about playing five bowlers. "We've got to get 20 wickets to win the game. It hasn't worked for us in the past. That's not to say it won't work in the future. I suppose the Australian way, if I can call it that, is always that four bowlers have been adequate and done the job."

Hohns said having McGrath and Shane Warne in the side had boosted the policy. "In the future it's something we have to consider - and we may consider it for this game," he said.

For his own part, McGrath was keeping it simple: "My arm would have to fall off for me not to play," he said.

7 Sep, 2005