Spinner's pitch at Gabba won't assist Bollinger

Brisbane, Nov. 22 (ANI): Australia's fourth specialist paceman, Doug Bollinger is likely to be 12th man in the first Test against the West Indies, starting on Thursday.

With all-rounder Shane Watson opening the batting and able to be used as a fourth seamer option, off-spinner Nathan Hauritz appears a near certainty to bowl for the first time in a Test at his old home ground.

Long-time Brisbane curator Kevin Mitchell junior was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald, as saying that the pitch will be as lively early, but will also suit a spinner from day four.

"If the preparation goes as planned in a five-day Test match [here] you would go in with three quicks and a spinner," he said.

Mitchell indicated Bollinger's hopes of playing his second Test would rest more on what was above the wicket than the surface itself.

Ticket sales have suggested a similar attendance to last year's Gabba Test, when 38,753 watched Australia beat New Zealand over less than four days.

Sales are tracking the same path, having reached almost 24,000 yesterday.

The Windies drew 51,230 to the Gabba in their last trip to Australia four years ago. (ANI)