Australia have drafted Brett Geeves into their squad for the third Test against West Indies.
Uncapped Tasmanian in squad for Perth Test
Australia have drafted Brett Geeves into their squad for the third Test against West Indies, starting at the WACA on Wednesday.
Peter Siddle is doubtful for the series decider due to a hamstring strain, although he bowled at good pace in the nets on Monday and could yet feature.
Tasmanian seamer Geeves has been added as extra cover and, with Siddle's Victorian team-mate Clint McKay also in the squad, Australia have plenty of options at their disposal.
Both Geeves and McKay have represented their country in limited-overs internationals but are uncapped at Test level.
"There is still a little bit of doubt around Peter," Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said on Monday.
"He bowled today, and by all accounts he bowled pretty well, but with these sort of injuries it's not so much the first spell, it's how you pull up the next day.
"So he'll have to be re-assessed tomorrow and we'll see how he goes."
Hauritz decision
One possibility open to Australia is to revert to an all-pace attack, as they did at times during the tour of England earlier in the year.
That would mean omitting off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, who took five wickets in the comprehensive opening win in Brisbane but toiled through 63 overs for just two breakthroughs - neither in the second innings - during the drawn second Test at Adelaide.
"I would like to have taken a few more wickets in Adelaide," conceded Hauritz.
"Adelaide was a little bit of a slower wicket and I didn't bowl as well as what I did in Brisbane.
"But you know I'm just enjoying playing. It's good for the time being not to be spoken about whether I should or should not be playing.
"We're doing a fantastic job I think as a bowling group. We did really well in Brisbane and were probably seven, eight or nine out of 10 up in Adelaide but just couldn't put that final nail in the coffin.
"The quicks are looking forward to bowling on a faster track out here and that will help them a bit and hopefully I'll be able to get into a bit of rhythm out there as well."
Haddin, meanwhile, denied suggestions opening batsman Shane Watson is struggling for fitness.
"No Shane's fine," he insisted. "He's been training well today and (he's done) a little bit of extra running at the end of the session as well."
Chanderpaul scare
West Indies, meanwhile, have a doubt over veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul as they head into a contest they must win to secure a share of the series.
Chanderpaul is due to have a scan on a finger injury before netting on Tuesday.
West Indies team manager Joel Garner confirmed the Guyanan left-hander had jarred his finger against the wicket while fielding and that checking it out was precautionary.
"It is very important that all the fellas come out and play," Garner said. "I think if you have a collective effort on the part of the players, yes you will get a result."
