McGrath missed the whole Australian summer through injury

McGrath, 34, will turn out for New South Wales on Thursday after seven months out with an ankle injury.

He took 10 wickets in an NSW second XI game last week, ahead of his state's final match of the season.

"The game I played in Melbourne last week was the best I've felt for years," said McGrath. "I'm bowling better than even before the last Ashes series."

McGrath's return to fitness came too late for him to be included in the initial Test squad, which begins the first of three back-to-back matches on Monday.

But he could still receive a call from the selectors if one of the current pace corps is injured.

"I'm just trying to keep myself as fit and strong as possible," he added.

The match against Queensland at the Sydney Cricket Ground is likely to be the final first-class match played by Steve and Mark Waugh.

NSW could make the Pura Cup final, though, if they win and if Tasmania are denied bonus points by Victoria.