CARL HOOPER's withdrawal, Chris Gayle's confused omission and Ramnaresh Sarwan's finger injury have necessitated a complete revamp of the West Indies batting order for the first Cable & Wireless Test, starting at Bourda this morning.
Gayle's exclusion, presumably prompted by his preference for the double-wicket World Cup over Jamaica's team in the Carib Beer Series final against Barbados last weekend, has led to a new opening pair of Daren Ganga and 21-year-old newcomer Devon Smith.
Sarwan's position at No.3, established in the most recent series in India and Bangladesh, is likely to be filled by Wavell Hinds who has opened with Gayle over the past eight Tests.
There is conjecture that Shivnarine Chanderpaul could be used at No.3, pushing Hinds down to No.6 after captain Brian Lara at No.4 and Marlon Samuels at No.5.
Ganga, the solid Trinidadian right-hander, gets his first Test in the Caribbean since he made his debut in South Africa at the age of 19 four years ago. His 17 previous Tests have been in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka and Sharjah.
The dashing Smith earns his spot after two consistent seasons in the domestic first-class tournament and with the West Indies 'A' team on its tour of England and Canada last year. He is the third Grenadian Test player after wicket-keeper Junior Murray and leg-spinner Rawl Lewis.
Vasbert Drakes, the 33-year-old fast bowler who made his belated Test debut in Bangladesh last December, has his first home Test as one of the four fast bowlers in the eleven.
In the absence of Hooper and Gayle, both useful off-spinners, Samuels is the only remaining bowler capable of back-up spin with his off-breaks.
In contrast, Australia will carry both their wrist spinners, the left-arm Brad Hogg and the right-arm Stuart MacGill, in their eleven on a dry pitch expected to live up to its reputation as a batsman's joy.
The pacy Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie are their only two chosen fast bowlers.
Teams:
West Indies (in likely batting order): Daren Ganga, Devon Smith, Wavell Hinds, Brian Lara (captain), Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Marlon Samuels, Ridley Jacobs, Vasbert Drakes, Merv Dillon, Pedro Collins, Jermaine Lawson.
Australia (in likely battng order): Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Martin Love, Steve Waugh, Darren Lehmann, Adam Gilchrist, Brad Hodge, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Stuart MacGill.
Umpires: Rudi Koertzen (South Africa), Asoka deSilva (Sri Lanka).