Bracken likely to play ahead of Williams

Nathan Bracken's repeated success against Virender Sehwag in the recent TVS Cup could see him get the nod ahead of Brad Williams when Australia play the first Test against India at Brisbane.

Bracken, with his left-arm seam angling across a hesitant Sehwag, took eight wickets in three games against India at an average of 12.12, and he claimed Sehwag all three times, conceding just four in the 12 balls he bowled to him.

"It must be pretty tight between Nathan and Brad," Adam Gilchrist said. "They both bowled exceptionally well over in India. Williams did a good job in the Test match he played, but Nathan is another option for us as a left-armer. It's going to be difficult to choose between them.

"The pleasing thing about the series we just played is that guys like Nathan and Brad are not just filling in when they get their opportunities, they're putting pressure on all the time," Gilchrist added. "Whoever does play, if they do well, it's then a real challenge for guys who are out to come back in."

The other big selection riddle for Australia concerns the No. 6 slot, recently vacated by an injured Darren Lehmann. Australia will have to choose between Simon Katich and Martin Love, both of whom have done well this season. "They both offer so much in their own individual ways," said Gilchrist. "Again, it's a very tough selection decision, but it's a great position for us to be in, to have options like these."

Gilchrist called India "potentially our biggest challenge," based on the make-up of the team, and said: "Their batting line-up is on par with any in the world, really, including ours. They've got new young tearaway quicks who are pretty aggressive, which is not their traditional way, and of course they've got fantastic spinners. It will be crucial how much momentum they are allowed to build up. We'll be chasing that early momentum."