Cricket: Australian attack is Warne out.

Byline: MIKE WALTERS in Sydney

AUSTRALIA were yesterday given a sneak preview of life without Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath - and did not always enjoy the view.

With Warne nursing a dislocated shoulder and McGrath a back strain, England took on the Aussies without both their bowling big guns for the first time in almost a decade.

Brett Lee nudged 95mph on the speedo, Jason Gillespie gave them nothing to hit as usual and Andy Bichel soldiered on despite cracking his left index finger yesterday.

But lacking Warne (491 Test wickets) and McGrath (422), the Aussies looked mortal, and coach John Buchanan admitted they will be a hard act to follow when they have finished tormenting England.

Warne's only contribution to the cause was to drive Australia's minibus back to the team hotel last night. Buchanan said: "We want to play with those two as much as we can, and the silver lining for us here is we didn't let the screws off England's innings without them.

"Great players don't come along with every tick of the clock, and it has been a privilege to be involved in an era when Shane and Glenn have played together. But in their absence, other players have to shoulder the responsibility."

England's top scorer Mark Butcher was especially appreciative of the breathing space afforded by Warne and McGrath's absence.

He said: "Those two are champion bowlers. Take them out of the Australian side and you are missing 900 Test wickets, but the guys who have replaced them are not the worst."

It was Butcher who unintentionally weakened the Aussie attack further, with a drive just before tea that dislocated the left index finger of right-arm pace bowler Bichel.

Bichel remained on the field, although he did not bowl again, and X-rays revealed he chipped the bone.

But team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said he would need to wear a splint for the remainder of the match but could continue to bowl. "It shouldn't prevent him taking a further part," said Alcott.

Australia coach John Buchanan said: "It would take more than a break or a chip or a sprained tendon or whatever to keep him off the field.''

But while he was pleased with Bichel's fighting spirit, he was less than happy with his team for failing to hang on to some easy catches.

"In the end I think it turned out to be reasonably evenly balanced,'' said Buchanan.

"We missed a few chances but were able to come back at the end and now we're at a crucial part of the game. It's a new start tomorrow morning and an early wicket will be vital to both teams.''

Mark Butcher benefited from the sloppy fielding, going on to make 124 after being dropped on 13 and 43, while England captain Nasser Hussain reached 75 after he was given a life on six.

"Those missed chances were normally ones we would have taken and may have shaped the day a little differently,'' added Buchanan. "But give them credit. Butcher had a bit of fortune but capitalised on it and that's the sign of a good player.

"We've always seen him as a player who has the capacity to play a good innings - we saw that at Headingley two years ago - but he hasn't always realised that and has been a little inconsistent."

CAPTION(S):

POWER SHIFT: Nasser Hussain dominated Stuart MacGill yesterday; DEADLY DUO: Warne (left) and McGrath have a total of 913 Test wickets