Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath refused to contemplate defeat in the third Ashes Test on Sunday, adding that the world champions could still take the series even if they lost at Old Trafford.

He also rubbished British media reports of a rift between captain Ricky Ponting [Images] and Shane Warne [Images], saying they were "a blatant lie".

McGrath told a news conference: "We've got 100 overs (on Monday), so if we go along at four an over I think we will get there.

"The first 20 or 30 overs will be the toughest. We will try to bat normally and keep wickets intact.

"If something happens and we do lose the Test, I feel we play our best cricket when we are really under pressure and we'll be under pressure then."

Australia ended Sunday's fourth day on 24 without loss, needing what would be a world record 423 to win. They made 302 in their first innings. The five-match series stands at 1-1.

McGrath, who took five wickets in England's [Images] second innings of 280 for six declared, added: "We haven't had the rub of the green and we haven't done ourselves many favours with the catches we've dropped. We haven't had our best game but we have come off smiling."

McGrath said newspaper reports suggesting Ponting and Warne had argued over the Australia captain's decision to bowl first in the second Test at Edgbaston last week, which England won by two runs, were not true.

"I have been in the changing room all the time and I have not heard or seen anything like it," he said.

"It's disappointing that it's in the press when it did not happen. It's not the first time.