Gillespie's injury curse strikes again

BRISBANE - Jason Gillespie's wretched injury curse struck again today, forcing the fast bowler out of the first Test against the West Indies beginning here on Thursday.

This time a hamstring twinge sidelined the 25-year-old, who has not played a Test since breaking his leg in Sri Lanka 14 months ago.

Gillespie's withdrawal opens the door for Queenslander Andrew Bichel to re-ignite his Test career alongside pacemen Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee and leg-spinner Stuart MacGill, sparing selectors a decision on the bowling attack.

Versatile Victorian Colin Miller was cut from the squad today, allowing him to play in Thursday's domestic clash with South Australia, while West Australian batsman Damien Martyn will be flown to Brisbane for 12th man duties.

Gillespie's withdrawal stunned teammates, who only learned of his latest bad luck after training at the Gabba today.

The right-armer hurt his hamstring in a domestic one-day match on Sunday and team medical officials were not prepared to risk the twinge during five days of Test cricket.

"I'm extremely disappointed and frustrated that such a minor thing is keeping me out of yet another cricket match," Gillespie said.

"I was desperate to play.

"I had done all the hard work to get back then this little setback comes along which is just very annoying but there is not a lot I can do."

Gillespie wants to return for the second Test in Perth from December 1 but he could face a battle with Bichel, who could book himself another Test with a solid performance this week on his home ground.

If Bichel is preferred for the into-the-wind duties in Perth, Gillespie could turn out for South Australia in a four-day game against Tasmania also starting December 1.

Today's news floored Gillespie, whose excellent 14-Test career has been plagued by injuries.

He has tired of talking about the past, preferring to concentrate on the road ahead but he will certainly wear the "injury-plagued" tag until he can string together a run of Test matches.

Bichel commiserated with Gillespie but said he was looking forward to resuming a Test career which has stalled for three seasons.

The 30-year-old, who is not among the Australian Cricket Board's 25 contracted players, admitted he was "chuffed" to be back in the Test arena.

"When you're a fast bowler there is always a chance that someone will get injured and I'm just looking forward to the game now," Bichel said.

"I'm playing at the Gabba - on my own home soil - and I'm ready to go." Bichel was still unsure what to expect from the Gabba on Thursday as showers continued to interrupt the preparation of the new pitch.

Curator Kevin Mitchell Jnr was confident the wicket would be of Test standard, even hinting that MacGill could bank on extracting spin after the pacemen made use of early moisture.

"If it heats up a little bit it will certainly wear and there will be plenty in it for the spinners as the match goes on," Mitchell said.

"We've only got tomorrow left to prepare it so we would like some sunshine in the morning.

"It's a bit hard to say what it's really going to do but it won't be easy to score runs on it and I think you'll find the better players come to the fore."

The wet weather forced the West Indies to train indoors, further hampering their build-up to a daunting Test series.

The Windies will name their team tomorrow night, barely 12 hours before play is scheduled to begin.

AUSTRALIA: Steve Waugh (capt), Adam Gilchrist (vice-capt), Michael Slater, Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Brett Lee, Andrew Bichel, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Damien Martyn (12th man).