NAGPUR, India - A reshaped middle order is not out of the question as Australia plans how to go into the first cricket Test against India later this month.

After an exhausting three days of travel, the Aussies begin their first warm-up match here on Saturday with speculation vice-captain Adam Gilchrist could be played as a specialist batsman, paving the way for Australian to field five bowlers.

Australia currently has undoubtedly the best middle order in world cricket with Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Gilchrist filling the four-through-seven batting spots.

But with a push coming for Ricky Ponting to bat higher up the order - especially given his ability to play spin bowling - the Australians could yet make a reshuffle work.

It was something Gilchrist didn't entirely rule out.

"I know that's been suggested but the balance of the side has been working well in recent times," Gilchrist said.

"But we also have to look at the conditions and adjust accordingly."

The idea of playing five bowlers was based on the fact the Tests would be played on unresponsive pitches, making it hard work for the bowling attack - especially in adversely warm conditions.

Captain Steve Waugh insisted there were no set ideas as to the make-up of the first Test team and said places could be decided by the two first-class games in the next week.

There are plenty of options for the Aussies in the batting department, with Damien Martyn's superb form making him a hard player to leave out of any team.

Similarly, all the bowlers have the potential to be major players but, with Australia almost certain to take in spinners Shane Warne and Colin Miller, the tour selectors have to decide on the balance of their pace attack with all four quicks offering different strengths.

The match against India A in a city famous for its oranges could foreshadow the return of wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia to the India team.

Mongia has been away from Test cricket for 20 months after being implicated in the match-fixing scandal.

He has since been cleared and has been in good form since returning to first-class level.

He will captain a strong India A team, which features an aggressive batting line-up.

© 2001 AAP