McGrath back in action

Glenn McGrath has been named in Australia's squad for next month's ICC Champions Trophy in India.

McGrath has been chosen alongside fellow New South Wales bowlers Nathan Bracken and Stuart Clark, with Mitchell Johnson the other frontline paceman selected.

McGrath last played for Australia in January, but has since taken time away from the national side to be with his ill wife.

The 36-year-old has been training hard in the nets in order to be fit in time for the Ashes, and Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel Chairman Andrew Hilditch said playing in the Champions Trophy would help speed McGrath's progress.

"Following extensive discussion between Glenn McGrath, the coach and the selection group, we've decided that the best way for Glenn to make his way back into international cricket is to play international cricket," Hilditch said.

"We believe the combination of the Malaysian tri-series and the ICC Champions Trophy is ideal preparation for what will be a huge summer of cricket for Glenn in Australia and overseas."

Selectors also opted for two all-rounders, naming both Andrew Symonds and Shane Watson.

"Shane Watson has had a difficult time with injuries but we see him as a key man in this side," Hilditch said.

"There are plenty of exciting players in the squad and Shane is one of them."

While the Australian side has claimed three World Cups and a raft of other cricketing records, they are yet to win the Champions Trophy, something Hilditch was keen to see rectified.

"We've picked a strong squad which blends experience with some younger talent," he said.

"Australia has been successful in one-day internationals for a long time but we haven't won the ICC Champions Trophy and we've picked a side that we believe is capable of winning it."

The full squad for the ICC Champions Trophy:
Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Michael Clarke, Brad Hogg, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Shane Watson, Andrew Symonds