Winless WI face tough Aussies

Brisbane: WEST INDIES, without a win in their first two matches of the VB Series, face the might of a near full-strength Australia side in Brisbane today (last night TT time). The previously rested Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist, who missed one match with a knee injury, both return, so too does paceman Jason Gillespie. Australia may move the out-of-form Andrew Symonds up the order at the Gabba to make the most of his hitting. 
West Indies are likely to recall all-rounder Dwayne Bravo.

They are struggling to compensate for a shoulder injury to Chris Gayle, who may not bowl again on tour, but skipper Brian Lara has left Bravo in no doubt as to how he sees his role. “He is a batting all-rounder, not a bowling all-rounder. He is not helping us with the bat at all,” said Lara. “We need guys to understand that even though they’re coming in at seven or eight they have to contribute with the bat. “He’s bowled well and also he’s a decent fielder, but we must get guys understanding — like Marlon Samuels and Bravo — that when it gets down to them, we need to get runs as well.” Australia captain Ricky Ponting, meanwhile, spoke at length to Symonds at nets yesterday. The one-day specialist from Queensland has four ducks and one score of 20 in his last five internationals.

Ponting said: “I’ve watched him closely at training and he’s striking the ball nicely. “That position he comes in, in our side, can be a hard one to fill. “Batting any lower than five or six in our side, quite often you only come in until the final overs and you’re almost on a hiding to nothing.” Ponting said he was toying with promoting Symonds to number four. Australia have not yet decided whether to go with seam-bowling all-rounder Shane Watson or specialist slow bowler Brad Hogg. Glenn McGrath is rested once again, but is sure to play in the later stages of the competition.

Australia (from): Ricky Ponting (c), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Darren Lehmann, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz.
West Indies (probable): Brian Lara (c), Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Dwayne Bravo, Courtney Browne, Ian Bradshaw, Mervyn Dillon, Pedro Collins.