MUMBAI - Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh said his brother Mark was "most likely" to take his place in the first cricket Test against India starting in Mumbai tomorrow.

Waugh was today given until the morning of the first Test to prove his fitness after splitting webbing in his left hand trying to take a catch in a tour game against Mumbai.

Waugh was supposed to be assessed today but the fitness examination was postponed to give the Australian batsman more time to recover.

It is believed if Waugh is passed fit, he will have to field at fine leg rather than in slips.

Waugh said he was confident he would be ready as the swelling had gone down and the hand - which now boasts three stitches - was not as tender as it had been.

The main problem for Waugh would be the danger of reopening the wound, which happens often with these types of injuries, according to Australian physiotherapist Errol Alcott.

If Waugh didn't play, Ricky Ponting would be promoted to No.4 and Damien Martyn would come into the 11.

© 2001 AAP