Australia ready to rush Gillespie back for Perth Test

BRISBANE - Australia is ready to rush paceman Jason Gillespie back from his latest injury setback to continue the relentless assault on the West Indies in the second Test starting in Perth on Friday.

Captain Steve Waugh says there's "a strong chance" the South Australian will play in the potentially historic match after he sailed through a fitness test on his strained hamstring.

Gillespie would return at the expense of Andrew Bichel as Australia chases a world record 12th consecutive Test win following yesterday's crushing win over the Windies by an innings and 126 runs.

Bichel delivered a typically honest performance in the Brisbane match after Gillespie was a late withdrawal with a twinge from the injury suffered in a domestic one-day match last Sunday.

But the 25-year-old now rates himself fully fit, allowing Waugh the chance to unleash a fearsome pace combination of Gillespie, Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee on the battered Windies batsmen.

Gillespie is bracing for a hefty workload if chosen, facing the task of bowling into the wind while McGrath and Lee use the Fremantle Doctor at their backs.

But the right-armer isn't worried at the likely prospect of being a first change bowler ploughing into the wind, insisting that McGrath and Lee deserve to bowl with the new ball after playing in the majority of Australia's record run.

"I think the new-ball combination is pretty set. They bowl really well together and I can't see why you would change it," Gillespie said.

"I've bowled first change in one-dayers for South Australia and I bowl first change for my club so it doesn't bother me at all.

"With South Australia I've tended to get the pick of the ends but I've bowled into the wind before and I'd do it again."

Gillespie has missed all of Australia's 11 consecutive wins after breaking his leg in Sri Lanka on the eve of the winning streak.

In his absence, Lee emerged as the new bowling star but Gillespie is desperate to show his injury-plagued body can handle a long stint in international cricket.

"That's very important," he said.

"It's nice to be in the side, which is obviously your first aim, but if I'm in there I want to be contributing - taking wickets, making runs, doing things in the field. I want to be doing everything."

The Perth Test will be his first chance to shake the doubters, slotting into an attack which will include leg-spinner Stuart MacGill while Bichel carries the drinks.

The Australian squad will head to Perth on Tuesday after remaining in Brisbane when the first Test finished inside three days.

The Australians had a rest day today but coach John Buchanan will have them back in the nets tomorrow.

Australia: Stephen Waugh (capt), Adam Gilchrist (vice-captain), Michael Slater, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Bichel.