Cricket News: Australia are set to use Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill in a two-pronged spin attack in their bid to regain the Ashes from England.

"There is every chance we will play two," captain Ricky Ponting said yesterday.

"It is something that will suit Australia, playing two spinners together," he said on the eve of the Champions Trophy semi-final against New Zealand.

Ponting dismissed suggestions his team's fine run in the one-day tournament in India could affect preparations for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane, which starts on November 23rd.

"We're training hard every day," he said. "It is not Test cricket but it is international cricket.

"We've got four, five or six guys back in Australia who will come back into the Test team. When we return we'll have at least one first-class game before the first Test.

"We have over the last couple of years managed to switch pretty quickly from one-day cricket to Test cricket. Hopefully, when we get home, the transition will be pretty smooth."

Ponting was confident pace spearhead Glenn McGrath would regain his best form for the Ashes.

The 36-year-old returned last month after taking a break at the start of the year while his wife underwent cancer treatment.

"I'm very happy with the way he's going," said Ponting. "He knows his game and body very well.

"He has got some good overs under his belt here, impressed everyone with the way he bowled in the last game against India, particularly against Sachin Tendulkar."

Ponting said it was up to Warne whether he wanted to end his one-day retirement to play in next year's World Cup in the Caribbean.

"I should think if he was going to do it he would have done it by now," he said.

"He should make himself available soon if he wants to play in the World Cup."

New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris is set to miss today's semi-final with injury.

The 31-year-old Styris was top scorer with 86 in the 51-run victory over Pakistan last week, but had to use a runner after a recurrence of hamstring and back problems, which forced him to miss the opening victory over South Africa.