McGrath ruled out of next two VB Series matches

Glenn McGrath will miss Australia's next two VB Series matches, it was confirmed today.

McGrath is still to completely shake off the back injury that has hampered him since the fourth day of the fourth Orange Test match against England on 29 December.

And that means he will sit out the matches against England at the Adelaide Oval tomorrow (Sunday) and Sri Lanka at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday (21 January).

His place in Sunday's match will be taken by fellow fast bowler Brett Lee, who was originally set to be rested.

McGrath has returned to Sydney for further rest and treatment and will be assessed again when the Australia squad assembles there on 22 January ahead of the first final of the VB Series.

Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said: "There is still some remaining inflammation that we are keen to clear up.

"We will be looking for Glenn to get the appropriate levels of rest and treatment over the next few days as part of an ongoing rehabilitation process and on that basis we are confident the injury will settle down in due course.

"We will have another look at him when we get back to Sydney and then make an assessment concerning his availability for the VB Series finals," added Alcott.

Glenn McGrath said: "This lay-off is obviously frustrating but I'm confident that it can help to put an end to the current problem once and for all and I am optimistic I will be right come finals time."

McGrath's regular opening bowling partner Jason Gillespie bowled in the nets in Adelaide on Saturday for the first time since injuring his left elbow in a fall during the fifth Orange Test match against England in Sydney on 5 January.

Alcott said: "Jason is still improving and we are happy with his progress.

"He is still undergoing treatment and while it is unlikely he will play in the VB Series, we will continue to assess him on an on-going basis."

Fellow fast bowler Andrew Bichel, who missed Wednesday's match against Sri Lanka in Brisbane with a injured right shoulder is also making progress and he too bowled in the nets on Saturday during Australia's training session.

It is, however, unlikely he will return for tomorrow's match against England with a more likely comeback date the meeting with Sri Lanka in Melbourne two days later.

Leg-spinner Shane Warne is continuing his comeback from the dislocation to his right shoulder suffered against England in the VB Series match in Melbourne on 15 December.

He is expected to captain Victoria in its ING Cup match against Tasmania on Sunday 19 January with his progress then assessed on his return to Melbourne.