Aus v NZ: First Test Line-Ups

With just a few hours to go until the start of the first test between fierce rivals Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane both sides have named their starting eleven.

Australia had a couple of tough decisions to make in the run up to the test with Darren Lehmann and Shane Warne both back to full fitness after missing part of the victorious series win in India.

Shane Warne was always going to knock young off spinner Nathan Hauritz out of the line up but the tougher call came with Darren Lehmann.

Darren Lehmann has properly had the worst run up to a test match possible, not only has he only just recovered from a injury in the past week he has also had to battle with his emotions after giving evidence at the committal proceedings against a hotel bouncer charged with the manslaughter of former Australia Test batsman David Hookes and good friend.

Simon Katich was the unlucky batsman to miss out after having a successful tour to India where he finished third in the teams averages.

For New Zealand the team almost picked itself up until a week ago before the squad was hit with injury scares with only captain Stephen Fleming the only real doubt.

However in the past week both Nathan Astle and James Franklin picked up injuries while Astle passed late fitness tests Franklin wasn't so lucky and has been forced to withdraw just a day before the start of the match, New Zealand coach opting for the swing of Kyle Mills ahead of the raw pace of Ian Butler.

The final decision came down to which batsman to play the young and promising Hamish Marshall or the experience of Craig McMillan, with the experience winning.

The full line-ups for both teams are:

Australia: Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (capt), Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Michael Clark, Adam Gilchrist (wkt), Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath. (12th man: Brett Lee)

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (capt), Mark Richardson, Mathew Sinclair, Scott Styris, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum (wkt), Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills, Chris Martin. (12th man: Hamish Marshall)

Posted by Richard