Alderman doubts McGrath will make it through the Ashes

Glenn McGrath has had few successes during the VB Series © Getty Images

Terry Alderman has jumped on the ex-fast bowling wagon that thinks Glenn McGrath is past it and he worries for Australia's selectors as they prepare for life without him. Alderman, who played 41 Tests, called McGrath a "day-by-day, game-by-game prospect" and doubted he could make it through next summer's Ashes series.

"If he does play in the first Test, he won't play in all five," Alderman said in the Herald-Sun. "I am not convinced that this time next year he will be in the Australian team. If he starts next summer, he may not be there at the end."

McGrath was twice injured during last winter's Ashes series, missing the second Test with a freak ankle injury and the fourth with an elbow problem, and he has taken only four wickets at 40.25 in his past five VB Series games. The former Test bowlers Rodney Hogg and Jeff Thomson has also criticised McGrath's impact and Alderman said if he was a selector he would be "scared".

"There is no ready-made replacement," he said. "That's why people like Brett Dorey have been given a chance. They are huge shoes to fill." Australia have handed limited-overs debuts to Stuart Clark, Mick Lewis, Mitchell Johnson and Dorey this season while Nathan Bracken has become the team's third-choice fast bowler.