Doubts over Glenn McGrath's ability to get through back-to-back Test matches because of a heel problem have prompted a rethink on Australia's pace attack for the second Ashes Test against England.

Selectors have named South Australian speedster Shaun Tait and Queensland quick Mitchell Johnson in a 13-man squad for the second Test at Adelaide Oval, which starts Friday, as cover for McGrath.

The 36-year-old McGrath had his problems on day four of the first Test in Brisbane, which Australia won by 277 runs, when he had stints off the ground to have an injury to his left heel treated with painkillers.

With only three days between the first Test and the second, to be played on an Adelaide wicket which usually favours batsmen, the selectors went the cautious path by keeping two quicks on standby, even though Australia is expected to keep the same XI if everyone is passed fit.

McGrath spent the day resting his heel, and will undergo a more strenuous test on Wednesday at training, however teammate Mike Hussey was confident the veteran would play.

"Glenn was (last night) icing his heel, but I'm sure he'll be fine," Hussey said.

"He was able to keep bowling, which was a good sign for Australia."

Australia's embarrassment of riches meant there was no room for legspinner Stuart MacGill in the second Test squad, and if all players are fit, there are likely to be no changes.

Stuart Clark and McGrath both took seven wickets at the Gabba, and while Brett Lee was down on his efforts from the past year, Australian bowling coach Troy Cooley expected him to roar back to full throttle.

If McGrath is ruled out it will create a tussle between Tait and Johnson, and although the Queenslander pipped his peer to carry the drinks at the Gabba, Tait's swing, pace and good record in Adelaide might earn him the nod.

Tait is doubtful he will play before a hometown crowd, conceding his only chance was if McGrath did not recover.

"If he's looking like he might not play it's a better chance for me maybe," Tait said.

"The way McGrath is, he's a tough character, so he always does his best to get (over) his injuries.

"I'm sure the physio and the medical staff will be doing everything they can to get him on the park.

"They dominated in Brisbane and they're a lesser side without him."

Hussey reinforced Australia's vow that the world champions would aim not to fall into complacency after a big first-up win, as it did after Lord's in 2005.

"England can definitely bounce back and I think the conditions in Adelaide might suit them a little bit more than the pace and the bounce of the Brisbane wicket," Hussey said.

"Their batters may enjoy playing in Adelaide a lot more and that might help them score more runs in the first innings where the game was probably won and lost in Brisbane.

"There's definitely no complacency from our point of view and I'm sure England will hit back and play well in Adelaide."

England has also drawn on the similarities between the start of this series and the last.

McGrath led Australia to a 239-run victory at Lord's in 2005, but after he pulled out of the second Test at Edgbaston with an ankle injury, the visitors lost the Test and eventually the series.

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