Australia vs. West Indies, First Test

The Australian side to play the West Indies in the first Test in Brisbane starting today has been named:

Ricky Ponting (c), Shane Watson, Simon Katich, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Marcus North, Brad Haddin, Michael Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus. 12th man: Doug Bollinger.

• Head-to-head the two nations have played each other in 105 Tests with Australia winning 50 of those matches and the West Indies 32. Of the remaining fixtures, 22 draws have resulted as well as 1 tie.

• Of the 23 Test series played Australia has won 13, the West Indies 8 and there have been 2 draws. Of the past six Tests, Australia has won 5, as well as 14 of the past 16.

• In the past 10 years the West Indies have only defeated Australia on one occasion - the fourth and final Test of the 2003 series in the Caribbean. Australia have won the past four series, and six of the past seven.

At The Gabba, Brisbane
• Australia have won their past five Tests.
  
• Australia are undefeated at the Gabba in their past 20 Tests, winning five and drawing five. They last lost at the Gabba in 1988, against West Indies.
  
  
West Indies At The Gabba
• Tests played 11; Australia won 5; West Indies won 2; 2 draws; 1 tie
• Australia and West Indies played the first tied Test in history at the Gabba, in the first Test of the 1960-1961

Going into this first Test of the Summer, it is very hard to see anything but another Australian victory, and unsurprisingly TAB Sportsbet has installed Australia has firm $1.22 favourites compared to the $13 West Indies. A draw is paying $5.50.

The match is scheduled to begin at 10:00am.