Aussies name First Test squad

The hosts have drafted left-arm fast bowler Nathan Bracken into the squad in place of Brad Hodge, as the Aussies make just one change to the group that convincingly beat the Rest of the World XI in the ICC Super Test recently.

Australia’s chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said the need for a fourth pace bowler was uppermost in the decision to leave Hodge out.

"Heading to Brisbane, we felt it was prudent to introduce another paceman to the squad in place of an extra batsman," he said in a statement.

"That’s no reflection on Brad Hodge, but in this instance we felt for the purposes of flexibility in the attack, Nathan would provide us with another bowling option depending on the conditions that might prevail at the Gabba."

Hohns said conditions at the Gabba would dictate the make-up of the Australian bowling line-up.

"Obviously since the end of the Super Test in Sydney, there has been a lot of speculation about the option of playing the two spinners in this match against the West Indies," he said.

"With both Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill in the squad, we still have that option, and will assess it closer to time, once we can study the conditions in greater detail."

Rainy and humid weather in Brisbane over the past fortnight suggests the pitch will favour the left-arm swing bowling of Bracken.

But with Queensland all-rounder Shane Watson likely to take one of the specialist batting positions, the selectors have the option of playing both MacGill and Warne.

That would leave Watson to take on the role as third seamer alongside Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee.

Squad:

Ricky Ponting (captain), Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson.