Cricket: A mere formality to name full-strength Australian XI

By RICHARD BOOCK

BRISBANE - It is hard to decide which is the better bet at the moment - Australia's first test line-up or coach John Buchanan's briefing papers being accidentally leaked to the media.

Under normal circumstances it might well be the leak, but the Australian test team to play New Zealand has become a formality over the past couple of weeks - especially after pace bowler Brett Lee made a strong comeback from injury last weekend.

The Australian selectors are today expected to name the same XI who crushed England in the last test of the Ashes series. The only area of uncertainty is who - possibly out of Andrew Bichel, Michael Kasprowicz or Ashley Noffke - will be asked to carry the drinks.

Although there will be no room for world-class opening batsman Michael Slater, the side seem likely to be a lot stronger than the combination who swept New Zealand 3-0 in the test series two summers ago, and went on to break the record for consecutive test match victories.

As strong as Steve Waugh's tourists were that season, the side have since been boosted by the return of fast bowler Jason Gillespie and top-order batsman Ricky Ponting - two top-ranked players who will make New Zealand's task even more difficult this time around.

To make matters worse for the New Zealanders, not only do the Australian selectors have a fit squad to pick from, they also have their favoured line-up in scintillating form, with the exception of the recovering skipper Steve Waugh who has yet to play in a Pura Cup (Sheffield Shield) match.

Apart from the Waugh, the balance of the Australian top order can boast a combined average of 86.94 so far this season.

"It's a continuation of what happened on the Australian tour," Buchanan said. "The boys in those test sides set the standards for all players in Australia to aspire to."

Buchanan, famous for having "inadvertently" leaked his written analysis on the opposition before a Sheffield Shield final, a test match against New Zealand and a test against England, said there were signs that the players had responded well to a break and were now refreshed.

The sun was belting down at the Gabba yesterday as the New Zealanders worked out in 30deg C heat, but if the talk around the traps is anything to go by, the temperature will escalate when the first test rolls around tomorrow week.

The Australians have a reasonably well-founded belief that New Zealand batsmen struggle against genuine pace because they are so unused to the quicker tracks. They are expected to test this theory fully at the Gabba.

Likely Australian side: Steve Waugh (capt), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie and Glenn McGrath.