PERTH, Oct 8: Australia made the bold move of including leg-spinner Stuart MacGill in their team for Thursday’s first Test against Zimbabwe even though the pitch in Perth usually favours fast bowlers.

Captain Steve Waugh’s attack will be led by Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Andy Bichel and MacGill after uncapped paceman Brad Williams was named 12th man.

“Stuie is bowling exceptionally well in the nets, probably the best I have seen him, so he’s ready to go,” Waugh told reporters on Wednesday.

“He looks a million dollars today so he’ll play a big part in this match, I think.”

The game’s top-ranked team will go into the two-match series against Zimbabwe without their two most successful bowlers, injured paceman Glenn McGrath and leg-spinner Shane Warne, who is serving a 12-match doping ban.

Hard-working seam bowler Bichel and experienced batsman Damien Martyn replace McGrath and Martin Love.

MacGill has taken 42 wickets in seven Tests this year, prompting Waugh to tell critics his fellow New South Welshman was “not in Shane’s shadow”.

Teams:

Australia: Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Steve Waugh (captain), Darren Lehmann, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Stuart MacGill. 12th man: Brad Williams.

Zimbabwe (from): Heath Streak (captain), Andy Blignaut, Gary Brent, Stuart Carlisle, Dion Ebrahim, Sean Ervine, Craig Evans, Gavin Ewing, Trevor Gripper, Douglas Hondo, Stewart Matsikenyeri, Blessing Mawhire, Ray Price, Tatenda Taibu, Mark Vermeulen, Craig Wishart.—Reuters/AFP