29 January 2004	Thursday	06 Zilhaj 1424

MELBOURNE, Jan 28: Australia will have one eye on the finals when they goes into their triangular One-day International match against Zimbabwe at the Melbourne Cricket Ground here on Thursday.

In an effort to settle on a bowling line-up before the finals series begins, the home-side will bring in all-rounders Ian Harvey and Andy Bichel in place of batsman Andrew Symonds and pace bowler Jason Gillespie for the day/night match.

"It probably means we go into the game one specialist batsman down, but it gives a few of the all-rounders a real chance to have a bit of a hit," captain Ricky Ponting said.

Australia lead the tri-nation series with one defeat in six games so far. The home side will meet India in the best-of-three finals series, which will start here on Feb 6. The other side, Zimbabwe, have yet to record a win and cannot qualify for the finals.

After Thursday's game, Australia play their last pool match against India in Perth on Sunday before the finals begin. Ponting said Australia probably would not play four fast bowlers in the finals series, meaning performances in the next two games will be vital for selection.

"I've been really happy with the way Brett (Lee) has progressed over the last couple of weeks. His bowling in the last couple of games especially has been very good, getting back to his best," Ponting said.

"Gillespie is obviously going along nicely. (Brad) Williams has done a good job. Bichel has sort of been in and out of the side, he obviously has another chance tomorrow to work on things."

Ponting said out-of-form batsman Damien Martyn was still under a cloud after falling ill on Monday in the match against Zimbabwe in Adelaide. Martyn did not train on Wednesday as a precaution.

Teams (from):

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Bevan, Andy Bichel, Michael Clarke, Jason Gillespie, Brad Haddin, Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Andrew Symonds, Brad Williams.

Zimbabwe: Heath Streak (captain), Andy Blignaut, Stuart Carlisle, Dion Ebrahim, Sean Ervine, Grant Flower, Travis Friend, Douglas Hondo, Stuart Matsikenyeri, Ray Price, Vusi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu.-AFP