KEY POINTS:
The big wet in Brisbane has Australia's vice-captain Michael Clarke wary of New Zealand's pace attack as the coin toss looms as vital to tomorrow's first cricket test.
After the worst storm in 25 years hit Brisbane's southwest on Sunday night, the rain continued yesterday as the covers stayed on the Gabba pitch.
With more rain forecast and little sun to dry the surface, it appears certain to give the side bowling first a significant advantage on a fiery first morning.
"I think they do [have strike power], especially the way the weather's been, that should help their bowlers," said Clarke, who admitted the conditions were a big unknown for both sides.
"There's a bit of grass on the wicket, there'll certainly be some movement on the first day of this test match.
"I think whoever bowls first in the test will benefit with the ball. And I definitely believe they've got a good enough attack to give us a headache if we don't bat well."
New Zealand's pace attack will likely contain Chris Martin, Kyle Mills and Iain O'Brien, with Tim Southee looking most likely to miss out if the tourists opt for a batsman-stacked side.
Daniel Vettori's spin may not be a big factor, although the extra bounce will be in his favour.
Martin was the pick of the bunch in the six-wicket loss to New South Wales, with five for 88 off 35 overs on a seamer-unfriendly pitch.
Clarke observed the tourists "loved playing Australia" and always lifted a notch against their transtasman neighbours.
Some of the spotlight is on the hosts, too, with Clarke and paceman Brett Lee both recovering from debilitating illnesses picked up in India where they lost the series 0-2.
Both pronounced themselves fit, with Clarke saying he'd regained the reported 6kg he'd lost in the final week of the India tour.
The focus is also on matchwinning allrounder Andrew Symonds who trained with the squad this week for the first time since his "gone fishing" drama in Darwin saw him sidelined from the India tour after missing a team meeting.
Clarke was part of the senior player group who recommended Symonds be sent home from Darwin, and Symonds admitted this week it had strained their friendship.
Said Clarke: "It certainly wasn't a personal decision. It didn't affect my feelings about Symo as a mate, it was just what we thought was in the best interests of the team and for Andrew.
"Whatever issues Andrew's had, he's spent time trying to get help or trying to fix those issues and it seems like he's in a great place at the moment, he's very happy to be back in the side and I can guarantee you the rest of the players are happy to have him back."
- NZPA
