Australian cricket coach John Buchanan says the washed-out game against Scotland won't have an adverse effect on the preparations for the fourth Test against England.

Not a ball was bowled at The Grange as steady rain washed out the 50-over match, meaning Australia has only a two-day game against Northamptonshire before the fourth Test starting at Trent Bridge next Thursday.

Fast bowlers Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz and Shaun Tait are all vying for one paceman's slot in the Test team.

The three quicks were to play Scotland, but the line-up for Northampton has yet to be decided.

Buchanan was disappointed about the weather in Edinburgh but had no concerns his players would only have two more days at the most to be ready for another clash against an England side playing its best cricket.

"The interesting thing whether you had a four-day game, a three-day game, a two-day game or a one-day game, it would suit some players in terms of where they're at, what they need and certainly not suit others," he said.

"Someone like Justin Langer would have been looking forward to a three-day game or even a four-day game where he might get two bats because he hasn't had a lot of batting on tour, whereas another player might not, which would suggest that they need that much cricket and that a two-day game is just perfect for them."

Australia leaves for Northampton on Friday local time and by the time the players arrive in the Midlands they will have travelled 11 hours on the team bus without having played any cricket.

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