Anthony McGrath is making a good recovery from the side strain he suffered on his successful Test debut at Lord's last week and the Yorkshire captain was optimistic that he would be able to lead the NatWest Trophy champions in their fourth round clash against Worcestershire at New Road today.

Yorkshire and England's medical personnel have been in close touch with each other over McGrath's condition and a decision on whether he was fit to play was to be taken shortly before the toss.

McGrath was yesterday able to travel on the team coach to Worcester and he reported before he left that he had felt the benefit of a morning session with Yorkshire physiotherapist Scott McAllister.

Although it proved impossible to fit in a precautionary scan for McGrath before setting off for Worcester, there was an increasing feeling that he would not need one in view of the progress he has made.

McAllister did not rule out a scan altogether, however, and said McGrath could still have one today if there was a late decision not to risk him in the match.

McGrath was doubly keen to play because as well as wanting to take charge of Yorkshire in their most important game of the season he is also aware that England selectors Duncan Fletcher, David Graveney, Geoff Miller and Rod Marsh would be at New Road where they will pick the one-day squad which is due to be announced tomorrow.

They will be listening closely to what England's new one-day captain, Michael Vaughan, has to say and in addition to recommending that they select Matthew Hoggard and McGrath, Vaughan may also state a case for bowling duo Chris Silverwood and the return of Darren Gough if he can satisfy everyone about his fitness.

With McGrath now having tasted Test cricket and found it appetising he will be eager for a big score today to convince the selectors that he should be retained for the second Zimbabwe Test at Riverside which starts tomorrow week.

The one-day squad, when chosen, will have to brace itself for at least ten matches in just under a month, starting with the first game in the three-match series with Pakistan at Old Trafford on June 17, and ending, hopefully, with the final of the NatWest Series triangular tournament between England, South Africa and Zimbabwe at Lord's on July 12.

Updated: 11:41 Wednesday, May 28, 2003