Australian paceman Glenn McGrath is progressing in the right direction in his bid to achieve peak form and fitness ahead of next month's Ashes, coach John Buchanan said on Friday.

The game's third highest Test wicket-taker with 542 scalps, McGrath returned to international cricket during the tri-series in Malaysia last month after missing action since January to be with his wife, who had a recurrence of cancer.

McGrath, 36, hopes to use the difficult Indian conditions during the ICC [Images] Champions Trophy to prepare for the Ashes that Australia lost last year after 18 years of domination.

"From a selection point of view the reason why he's here is to do that, is to be in competition," Buchanan said.

"To try and up the game and also being around us. He's moving along in the right direction."

McGrath took two for 28 off 10 overs in Thursday's practice match against Maharashtra that the world champions won by 103 runs.

"I think a couple of wickets yesterday is the little bit of the tonic and medicine that he's looking for," Buchanan said.

"Every time Glenn [McGrath] steps on the field it is another step forward for him. Everything else is in pretty good shape."

McGrath had missed the second and fourth Tests in last year's Ashes due to injury as hosts England [Images] won the series 2-1.

World champions Australia begin their Champions Trophy campaign with a match against a qualifier in Mumbai on Wednesday.