Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath was ruled out of the second Test against England [Images] on Thursday after suffering a freak injury while warming up for the Edgbaston match.

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McGrath, a key member of the world champions' line-up and the man of the match in the first Test, was taken to hospital after stepping on a cricket ball while preparing with the rest of the squad on the pitch.

He rolled over his right ankle and was clearly in considerable pain. McGrath had stepped on the ball while trying to catch a rugby ball, according to observers.

After the hospital visit Australia team physiotherapist Errol Alcott told Channel 4 TV: "He's had preliminary X-rays and there doesn't seem to be any major boney problem but we're waiting for a full report on that.

"Every ankle injury is different but it's probably a grade two tear of his lateral ligament and maybe some associated bone bruising. We'll just have to review him and see how he responds to the treatment."

McGrath had been helped on to a buggy by his team mates and taken to hospital before it was announced he would not be fit to play with 10 minutes to go before the toss which Australia won and opted to bowl.

McGrath, 35, took nine for 82 to pass 500 wickets in his career during Australia's 239-run win in the first test at Lord's and he was clearly missed on Thursday as England breezed to 132 for one at lunch.

Teams:

England: Michael Vaughan [Images] (captain), Marcus Trescothick [Images], Andrew Strauss [Images], Ian Bell [Images], Kevin Pietersen [Images], Andrew Flintoff [Images], Geraint Jones, Ashley Giles, Simon Jones, Matthew Hoggard [Images], Steve Harmison.

Australia: Ricky Ponting [Images] (captain), Matthew Hayden [Images], Justin Langer, Damien Martyn, Michael Clarke [Images], Simon Katich, Adam Gilchrist [Images], Shane Warne [Images], Brett Lee [Images], Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz.