Bracken comes swinging in

Australia have dropped leg-spinner Stuart MacGill for the first test against West Indies starting at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday.MacGi...

Australia have dropped leg-spinner Stuart MacGill for the first test against West Indies starting at the Gabba in Brisbane on Thursday.

MacGill was named 12th man after the selectors opted for New South Wales fast bowler Nathan Bracken in one of two changes to the team that beat the World XI in Sydney last month. As expected, Mike Hussey comes in for his long-awaited test debut after opener Justin Langer ruled himself out with a broken rib.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said Bracken got the nod ahead of MacGill because of his ability to swing the ball at the Gabba. “He has got a great record up here and he will bowl well on that wicket,” Ponting told a news conference.

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“There’s still a little bit of moisture in the surface and with maybe a little bit of weather around, that’s the way we’ve decided to go.” The inclusion of Bracken and Hussey is the latest in a series of changes to the Australian team since their Ashes defeat in England.

Middle-order batsman Damien Martyn gave way to all-rounder Shane Watson and pacemen Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz were also dropped, giving the side a relatively new look at the start of the domestic summer.

The once-mighty West Indies clearly face a formidable task.The last time they toured here, five years ago, they were spanked 5-0 and their recent form has not been encouraging, having failed to win any of their last four series.

“We know they are a very dangerous side and we’ve spoken about that,” Ponting said. “The batting is very good with quality down the list and their bowling can be dangerous. They are the sort of side that, if they do get a bit of confidence, they will play even better.”

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West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul has also refused to write off his team’s chances after they successfully chased down a world record 418 in the fourth innings to win their last test at St John’s in 2003. “Australia are a strong team but we have a good team also,” he said. “We’ve beaten them in the Caribbean chasing a huge total and I know we can win out here. The guys are gelling and helping each other, it’s a wonderful sight. Obviously we want to win and go out there and play some tough cricket,” Chanderpaul said.

HEAD TO HEAD ACCOUNT

		THE HISTORY West Indies didn’t lose a Test series to Australia between 1977 and 1995, but they haven’t won one since. When West Indies last toured Australia five years ago, they were thrashed 5-0 in the five-test series. When they last met, in the Caribbean in 2002-03, Australia won the four-match series 3-1. Recent form Australia, the world number one for the past decade, haven’t lost a series at home to anyone since they were beaten 2-1 by West Indies in 1992-93. Until their Ashes defeat in England this year they hadn’t lost a series away since going down 1-2 in India in 2000-01. In their only test since the Ashes, they thrashed the Rest of the World in Sydney last month. West Indies have won just three of their last 10 series and none of their last four. Their most recent win was 1-0 over Bangladesh at home in 2003-04. Their most recent away win was against Zimbabwe earlier that same season. They have played eight tests this year, for one win, five losses and two draws. They lost their last series 2-0 against Sri Lanka. Key players Australia – Matthew Hayden. The left-handed opener was in danger of losing his position in the side after a lean run with the bat. The former world record holder saved his career with a gritty 138 in the final Ashes test, then scored another century against the Rest of the World in October. West Indies –Marlon Samuels. The Jamaican batsman has long been regarded as one of West Indies’ most promising players but has yet to fulfil his full potential. However the signs are all good after he made a career-best 257 in last weekend’s tour match against a Queensland team packed with current and former Australian test players, then took 5-87 with his off-spinners. Venue The Gabba, Brisbane. The names comes from the name of the ground’s suburb, Woolloongabba. The ground is also the venue for several other sports, including soccer and Australian rules football.

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