The Australian selectors have named the following 13 man squad for the First Test against Sri Lanka at the Gabba in Brisbane starting Thursday November 8, 2007.
Stuart MacGill and Brad Hogg will have a bowl off in the nets all week as they vie for Shane Warne’s spot in the bowling attack, while Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson face the same test in their bid to replace the retired Glenn McGrath.
The batting order looks settled for the two-Test series with NSW opener Phil Jaques getting the nod to join Matthew Hayden at the top of the order for the start of the summer. Skipper Ricky Ponting will follow at Number 3 with Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds rounding out the Top 6 in order.
The full squad is:
Matthew Hayden, Phil Jaques, Ricky Ponting ©, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Adam Gilchrist (vc), Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Stuart MacGill, Brad Hogg, Shaun Tait.
The Sri Lankan squad has not been named yet however it appears key batsman and wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara will miss the Gabba Test due to a torn hamstring. However in a boost for the tourists – 28 year old replacement keeper Prasanna Jayawardene has shown some form with the bat thus far on tour and sports a Test average of 29.5.
So far the bookmakers have Australia strong favourites at around $1.40, Sri Lanka $8.00 to 9.00 and the draw at $4.00.
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Warrick Nicolson
E: wdnicolson@optusnet.com.au
P: 0402851485
