MELBOURNE, Nov 1 - England's selection of Ashley Giles for the forthcoming Ashes series is no more than an irrelevance, according to Australian leg-spinner Stuart MacGill.

England left-arm spinner Giles was passed fit for the tour of Australia earlier this week after recovering from hip surgery but MacGill said the presence of the 33-year-old was immaterial.

"I think the inclusion of Ashley Giles is really irrelevant to the Australian cricket team," the 40-test leggie told local media.

"Of greater concern to us is their in-form spinner Monty Panesar. He's done a great job. Any suggestion that Ashley can fill his shoes is one for the English team not for us."

Despite only taking 10 wickets at 57.8 in the 2005 Ashes series, Giles was perceived as one of the major performers in England's memorable 2-1 victory.

But MacGill said the threat of Panesar was more prevalent in Australia's preparations for the return contest which starts with the opening test at Brisbane on November 23.

"I don't think he's (Giles) really shown any inclination to have the same impact in Test cricket as Monty has already. I think he is very, very defensive."

STALLING TACTICS

"Monty Panesar attempts to take wickets and my definition of a bowler is being able to make a significant contribution to working towards that 20 wickets."

MacGill, meanwhile, hinted at the stalling tactics that may be employed by his state side New South Wales when they face the tourists in the three-day warm-up match at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting on November 12.

Reports that England, who arrive in Australia on Friday, plan to give as many as 17 squad members a hitout during the match have upset the NSW players, MacGill said.

"If we win the toss and decide our guys need a big bat, they'll bat for three days," he said.

MacGill, set to add to his haul of 198 test scalps during the series against England, will return for NSW after serving a two-week suspension following a row with an umpire during a club game, and said his side will do the tourists no favours.

"The one thing that needs to be said about the game is that it's not a proper game of cricket," MacGill said.

"It's an exhibition match, a centre-wicket practice for the English team, and I certainly won't be approaching it in any other vein.

"I think three days in the field would change their preparations significantly. It's not my role to tell other teams how to go about preparing."