Australian selectors name team for First Test

Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) has announced a 12-man Test squad to take on the West Indies in the first 3-Mobile Test match at the ‘Gabba in Brisbane beginning next Thursday (November 3).

Selection has seen one change to the Australian squad that took part in the triumphant Johnnie Walker Super Test against the ICC World XI earlier this month, with New South Wales Speed Blitz Blues paceman Nathan Bracken replacing the uncapped Brad Hodge who acted as twelfth man in that match.

Bracken, 28, has played three Tests for Australia, the last of which was against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2004.

NSP Chairman Trevor Hohns said: “Heading to Brisbane, we felt it was prudent to introduce another paceman to the squad in place of an extra batsman.

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

“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.

“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.”

Brad Hodge, who missed out on selection said: “Sure it’s disappointing to miss out on a place in the Australian squad, but following our solid start to the season, I’m looking forward to playing for Victoria in this weekend’s ING Cup match and the Pura Cup match against Tasmania that starts at Bellerive Oval next week.

“Hopefully I can put together some solid performances in those matches, and put my name up before the selectors again.”