Down to 13 players because of the forced withdrawals of ace fast bowler Glenn McGrath and middle-order batsman Damien Martyn for contrasting reasons, the visitors will more than likely field about 10 of the players who will oppose the West Indies in Thursday’s opening Test.

Skipper Steve Waugh had hinted on Thursday that a few of the players who participated in the recently concluded ICC Cricket World Cup could be rested after their rigorous sojourn in South Africa. With McGrath’s replacement, Brad Williams, due tomorrow and Michael Clarke, who replaces Martyn, in another few days, the options are very limited.

The three-day encounter could prove vital for Stuart McGill and Brad Hogg who are vying for the spinner’s slot in an Australian team which, according to captain Waugh, will stick to their policy of playing three fast bowlers and one spinner in the Test matches, regardless of the state of the pitches.

MacGill, 32, who played in the last two games of the Ashes Series, when Warne was unavailable because of a shoulder injury, has taken 94 wickets in 19 Tests.

Brad, on the other hand, has played in only one Test against India in 1996-97 and has been included in the touring party after an impressive World Cup performance.

Middle-order batsmen Darren Lehmann and Martin Love could also be in contention for the spot left vacant by Martyn as Waugh indicated on Thursday.

Love broke into the Australian team in the fourth and fifth Ashes Test when Lehmann was injured, scoring 95 runs for an average of 47.50.

The fixture also allows a youthful West Indies Carib Beer line-up to showcase their skills after fine performances in the inaugural 2003 Carib Beer Series.

The team was originally scheduled to be led by Daren Ganga, one of three players with Test experience but Ganga’s exclusion because of an injured leg, has whittled the team to two Test players in fast bowlers Adam Sanford and Marlon Black. Sylvester Joseph, who has replaced Ganga has played a few limited overs matches for the West Indies and is the only other international player in the side.

Exciting left-handed opener Devon Smith, who totalled 572 runs in the Carib Beer Series, will be aiming to continue his fine run of form as will Aneil Kanhai, who stroked a double and a single century and Guyanese Narsingh Deonarine, who ended the tournament in fine style, slamming a century against India A in a seventh round encounter and a half-century versus Jamaica in the Carib Beer International semifinal.

Wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh Jnr with a century and five 50s, has been a revelation this season and will seek to enhance his growing reputation as a future West Indies player.

The spin department comprises left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed and off-spinner Omari Banks, both with fine efforts in the tournament.

Teams: Australia (from) Steve Waugh (captain), Ricky Ponting (vice-captain), Andy Bichel, Adam Gilchrist, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Martin Love, Darren Lehmann, Stuart MacGill, Ashley Noffke.

Sylvester Joseph (captain), Devon Smith, Imran Jan, Dwayne Bravo, Aneil Kanhai, Narsingh Deonarine, Carlton Baugh Jr, Omari Banks, Dave Mohamed, Marlon Black, Adam Sanford. Reserve players: Travis Dowlin (12th man), Rayon Griffith (13th man).