Headley and Tudor vie for place in Test as Fraser dropped, Hick recalled

The choice could prove crucial as Australia's skipper Mark Taylor predicted the match could turn into a pace ``shootout.''

As well as axing 33-year-old Fraser, England brought batsman Graeme Hick into a squad of 14 named Friday because of growing concern about specialist left-hander Graham Thorpe's troublesome back.

Both camps are convinced the WACA Ground wicket will maintain its reputation as a haven for fast bowlers and both seem certain to throw in four pacemen.

``It could very well be a shootout between the pace attacks, but I believe we have the batsmen who can play well against England,'' Taylor said.

Headley, 28, from Kent, with 10 Tests under his belt, and Tudor, 21, from Surrey, still to make his international debut, are fighting for the right to play alongside England new-ball bowlers Darren Gough, Alan Mullally and swing exponent Dominic Cork.

Australia will pin their hopes on Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Damien Fleming and Colin Miller.

Fraser, who has grabbed 172 wickets from 44 Tests, has been dropped after failing to fire in the first Test in Brisbane last week ago when he captured only two wickets for 128 runs.

``It has been a tough decision to drop Angus, but we feel we need bowlers with more pace and penetration on the fast WACA pitch, so we have got some of the younger guys in,'' England manager Graham Gooch said.

Gooch declined to say whether Headley or Tudor had the better chance of playing. ``Both are in the frame at the moment. We'll wait until the morning.''

The former England skipper said though Fraser had been struggling, he was still a good bowler and his omission did not mean the Middlesex player would not be in contention for the next three Tests.

Thorpe is one of the linchpins of the England batting and his fresh back problem, following surgery on the injury in England last summer, comes at a bad time for the side.

He has an excellent record against Australia and hit 77 in the first innings in the first Test.

Thorpe was troubled by stiffness during practice Thursday, and the condition was so bad Friday he did not even visit the ground.

``We are hoping he might snap out of it overnight, but things are not looking great at the moment,'' Gooch said.

Hick, overlooked when the England touring squad was originally named, was called up early in the tour after opening batsman Mike Atherton had back problems.

The tall Worcestershire player has not played since joining the squad, a major worry if he is thrown in to face the Australian attack.

Gooch conceded: ``Ideally, you would like him to have played a couple of games here, but we are confident that if he does play, he will do a good job.''

Taylor said Australia had a healthy respect for Headley and Tudor from playing against them during the 1997 England tour.

``Tudor has definitely got some pace,'' he said. ``And Headley bowled well against us over there.''

Headley has played in 10 Tests, taking 37 wickets at an average of 28.62. Tudor has appeared in only 25 first-class games in his short career and is yet to play for his country in either form of the game.