The worst kept secret in town? Well not quite, but Australia's selectors have nonetheless followed the almost-universally predicted course in choosing the squad that will meet New Zealand in Brisbane in the first match of the countries' upcoming three-Test series.

Injury and illness had initially threatened to throw the Australians' plans into chaos but sparkling performances in domestic cricket last weekend from fast bowler Brett Lee and batsman Damien Martyn dispelled any lingering doubts over their readiness. Martyn's fellow Western Australian, Justin Langer, also suggested that he was suffering no lasting effects from a blow to the head the previous week as he struck a brilliant century against Tasmania.

And the last piece of the jigsaw will be fitted into place this weekend when captain Steve Waugh takes the field for Sydney club side Bankstown after experiencing problems with deep vein thrombosis.

Most of the twelve-man squad has been in brilliant form in the domestic arena, leaving the selection panel with few headaches in assembling the team.

Lee's return of 5/56 against South Australia on Sunday represented a particularly welcome boost following the speedster's comparatively disappointing tour of England and after a rib injury had made for a late start to the season.

Insofar as any kind of unpredictable development has occurred, it's probably that of the inclusion of Queensland paceman Andy Bichel. Albeit that he is ultimately expected to assume the twelfth man duties, Bichel did not tour with the Australians on their recent trip to England. He is also the only player in the squad who did not feature in the country's last Test match prior to this one - the innings and 25 run thrashing of England that gave it a 4-1 victory in the 2001 Ashes series.

Bichel has, in fact, not represented his country in the Test arena since playing in the fourth match of the 2000-01 series against West Indies. It's just another measure of the enduring strength of this squad, perhaps, that he claimed figures of 5/60 in the first innings of that match and yet has not been required in the eleven at any time since.

The First Orange Test begins at the 'Gabba on 8 November.

The full Australian squad is: Steve Waugh (c), Adam Gilchrist (v/c), Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Brett Lee, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Mark Waugh.

© 2001 CricInfo Ltd