| MacGill left out of Aussie squad
Australia has decided against using two spin bowlers in the first Test against the West Indies, meaning Stuart MacGill is again on the outside looking in despite taking nine wickets in last month's Super Test.
On Wednesday, selectors gave left-arm fast bowler Nathan Bracken the nod over MacGill, who will return to his domestic duties for New South Wales and not carry the drinks for Australia in the Test beginning Thursday at the Gabba.
That and the extra fieldsman's duties will be performed by an as-yet undecided local club cricketer, captain Ricky Ponting said.
Leg-spinner MacGill, who bowled in tandem with Shane Warne in Australia's 210-run win in the Super Series Test, returned figures of 5-43 in the second innings and 9-82 for the match against the World XI.
Conditions favour seamers
The choice between the two was assisted by the Gabba conditions, which are expected to favor seam bowling.
"He (Bracken) has got a great record up here and he will bowl well on that wicket,'' Ponting said.
Bracken, 28, has played three Tests, the last against India at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2004. A rib injury to opener Justin Langer has brought fellow West Australian Mike Hussey into the side for his Test debut.
It will be the first time in 54 Tests - more than four years - that the veteran lefthanders Langer and Matthew Hayden have not opened for Australia in a Test.
It is Australia's first home Test against a national side since losing the Ashes series to England in September for the first time since 1986-87.
The West Indies was to name its team after training later Wednesday or just before the start of play Thursday.
Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden, Simon Katich, Mike Hussey, Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Shane Watson. 12th man: Stuart MacGill.  | 
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