Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has been ruled out of the second tri-series final against England at the MCG on Saturday.

Team physiotherapist Errol Alcott on Thursday night decided McGrath, struggling to overcome a lower back strain, should not travel to Melbourne on Friday with the rest of Australia's buoyant one-day side.

Allrounder Shane Watson and batsman Jimmy Maher joined McGrath and fellow speedster Jason Gillespie on the sideline for Thursday's first final, won in a canter by Australia by ten wickets.

Watson was ruled out with the same ailment as McGrath, while Maher succumbed to a hamstring strain suffered during the warm-up for Tuesday's clash with Sri Lanka at the MCG.

Both will be considered for the second and most likely last final of the series.

Gillespie is bowling in the nets again after damaging elbow ligaments in a fall during the fifth Ashes Test, but he's not yet ready for action.

Alcott is taking a softly-softly approach to Australia's walking wounded, gladly leaving them out of the finals because the far more important World Cup is starting next month.

The only good injury news for Australia was the return of leg spinner Shane Warne from the dislocated shoulder he suffered on December 15.

Warne made his comeback just one day after announcing his one-day retirement, effective after the World Cup, taking 1-28 from ten promising overs.

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