Australian media ponders pace attack

The composition of Australia's fast bowling attack for the first Ashes Test against England dominated Australian media on Thursday.

Australia, seeking their ninth successive Ashes series win, have delayed naming their side for the match at Lord's until just before play begins later on Thursday.

Brett Lee is widely expected to make his first Test start in 18 months alongside Glenn McGrath with Jason Gillespie or Michael Kasprowicz as the third fast bowler.

Gillespie missed training on Tuesday with knee soreness but was at full pace for the world champions' final session on Wednesday.

"We've got conditions to take into account, so we'll wait until tomorrow morning," captain Ricky Ponting told reporters. "We've got five fast bowlers and only three spots so it's going to be tough.

"Shaun Tait has been bowling pretty well as well. A lot of the guys have been trying to keep away from him in the nets.

"We've got a tough decision to make and hopefully it's the right one."

The Australian newspaper said the decision would come down to Gillespie's fitness.

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"The

small doubt over Gillespie's ability to back up after a day's bowling further clouds what was an already difficult selection dilemma as to whether the South Australian or Michael Kasprowicz should fill the remaining fast bowler's berth," wrote Andrew Ramsay.

"If the selectors wanted to be certain they had a first-change seamer capable of bowling long, tight spells on a pitch which is likely to be flat and hard, they would be likely to prefer the resilient and reliable Kasprowicz.

"But although he has struggled for rhythm and consistency on this tour, Gillespie (when fit) has been an automatic choice in Australia's best Test XI for the past eight years."

The Sydney Morning Herald also said Gillespie's "creaky right knee" would determine the bowling attack, and highlighted the selection dilemma with a photograph taken this week with all four re-enacting The Beatles' famous crossing of Abbey Road, which is close to the ground in north-west London.

McGrath has 499 Test wickets and will become the second fast bowler to achieve 500 in a career if he takes a wicket at Lord's. West Indies' Courtney Walsh retired with 519.

Australia leg spinner Shane Warne is the leading wicket taker with 583.

The match is scheduled to start at 1500 IST on Thursday.