Australia are expected to field an unchanged side for the first Test against New Zealand, which starts at Brisbane on November 8, after they named a squad of 12. The squad included the same XI that won the final Test of the Ashes series at The Oval in August. Steve Waugh, who is still recovering from his calf strain, which developed into a deep-vein thrombosis complaint, is the only player in the Australian team providing selectors with any fitness or form concerns. He has not played any interstate cricket during the domestic season so far, and will resume on November 3 for his Sydney club team Bankstown. However, the chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said this week Waugh was progressing well.

New Zealand are not expected to name their team until after their four-day match against Queensland at Brisbane, which starts on November 1.

Australia have named Queensland fast bowler Andrew Bichel in their squad of 12. However Bichel is likely to be relegated to 12th man behind a bowling attack of Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie and legspinner Shane Warne.

Australia's leading batsmen – Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Ricky Ponting and openers Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden – have all made centuries this month in domestic cricket while the New Zealand bowlers have been unable to dismiss teams made up of fringe state players.

Australia Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh (capt), Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Bichel.

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