McGrath names Strauss, Cook as new Ashes 'bunnies'

Sydney, Aug 1 (UNI) With his last year's Ashes bunny Michael Vaughan certain to miss the series this year, Australian pace spearhead Glenn McGrath says his focus will shift to England's current stand-in skipper Andrew Strauss and middle-order bat Alastair Cook when he returns to the team for the famous battle.

''There's a few new guys that are coming ... that are doing well.

There's the young fellow Cook who's done well so far. He's one of many, there's no use naming one (bunny) these days you name two or three. Their captain Strauss at the moment, you always name the captain,'' McGrath told Sydney's 2KY radio station today.

McGrath, who has been missing from action since he pulled out of the team to be with his wife Jane after she was re-diagnosed with cancer, said he was fit and raring to go following a three-day clinic with Australia's bowling coach Troy Cooley in Brisbane last week.

''It felt great. To have six months off and to go up there and feel that good, it doesn't take long to feel like you haven't had a break. It just feels like another day at the office,'' he said about his return to bowling.

''The body feels good, just running in to bowl, so that was very good to get onto the outdoor nets. It will take a little while to build it up but I'm probably in front of where I thought I would be,'' he added.

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