Australia has rested weary fast bowlers Peter Siddleand Ben Hilfenhaus for the third cricket test against Australia which starts atthe WACA ground on Friday.
The Australian selectors have included a four-pronged paceattack of Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and John Hastings intheir 12-man squad for the match, in the additional absence of paceman JamesPattinson, who has a side strain.
Allrounder Shane Watson is likely to rejoin the lineup afterovercoming a calf strain and announcing he is able to bowl.
Johnson may vie with spinner Nathan Lyon for the last placein the Australian starting XI. If he plays, it will be his first test since hesuffered a toe injury against South Africa last November.
Hastings and Hazlewood will make their test debuts if theywin selection for the match on the typically pace-friendly WACA pitch.
Siddle and Hilfenhaus are being after their strenuousbowling duties on the last two days of the drawn second test at Adelaide.
Whatever its outcome, the Perth match will be remembered asthe last of 168 tests for former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Pontingannounced on Thursday that the test will be his last before retirement.
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Australia squad: Michael Clarke (captain), David Warner, EdCowan, Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting, Mike Hussey, Matthew Wade, MitchellJohnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, John Hastings.