Giles and Flintoff could both benefit from extra club games

Andrew Flintoff, Ashley Giles and Simon Jones all hope to play in the series but will not play any county cricket.

"The best way to strengthen up grade cricket is to have overseas players," said Rod Marsh, the former England selector now with South Australia.

"If we can get one or two overseas players into each team, I reckon that would be terrific for the competition."

Marsh's former Aussie team-mate Dennis Lillee, who is head of the Western Australia Cricket Association, said he would also welcome the move.

Aussie fast bowler Glenn McGrath was just one star who played county cricket to regain fitness before last summer's Ashes series in England.

England's management are expected to ask Hampshire coach Paul Terry to use his contacts in Perth's grade competition.

"If they feel like they'd like to come over here and get a bit of practice and learn about the conditions before the series, good luck to them," said Lillee.