Australia paceman Glenn McGrath has been denied the chance to face his former county Worcestershire in the threeday tour match at New Road beginning tomorrow.

McGrath is being rested after his heroics in the first Test at Lord's - as are Shane Warne, Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn and Brett Lee of the side which defeated England by 239 runs.

The 35- year- old has expressed a desire to return and play county cricket in 2006 and is expected to meet Worcestershire officials during the game about a possible return to New Road.

McGrath, who won the man-of-the-match award for his nine wickets against England, has already indicated that Worcestershire are "probably top of the list".

The main point of interest at Worcester will surround the third fast bowling spot behind McGrath and Lee, with Michael Kasprowicz and Shaun Tait given the chance to challenge Jason Gillespie.

Gillespie, who will also play at New Road, failed to take a wicket in the opening Test after a below-par spell in the one-day matches earlier this summer.

AUSTRALIA: R Ponting (capt), M Hayden, J Langer, S Katich, B Hodge, M Clarke, B Haddin (wkt), J Gillespie, M Kasprowicz, S Tait, S MacGill.