McGrath complained of feeling unwell on the final day of the third Test in Adelaide and missed practice on Thursday with a virus, but came through on Friday.

With Jason Gillespie already out, the home side now have to choose between inexperienced pace bowler Matt Nicholson and seamer/spinner Colin Miller for the final place in the Test, which starts on Boxing Day.

Nicholson, 24, has had only seven first-class games but took seven for 77 for Western Australia against England earlier in their tour

England keep options open

England have delayed naming their team to give themselves as much time as possible to assess the pitch, but tour management hope the arrival of wives and girlfriends will help lift morale.

England seem likely to recall Surrey paceman Alex Tudor, who may have to bat as high as number seven with only six specialist batsmen likely to be chosen.

Captain Alec Stewart is expected to drop down a place in the order, allowing Mark Ramprakash to bat at number four as he did in the second innings in Adelaide.