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Gillespie, Ponting in Oz squad

Paceman Jason Gillespie has forced his way back into Australia's Test team for the opening match of the Ashes series against England after a miserable 15 months of injury trouble.

Gillespie was just establishing himself as a front-line partner to Glenn McGrath during the Ashes tour of England in mid-1997 when he broke down. He peaked with a 7-37 performance that bowled Australia to victory the Headingley Test that year, but was unable to finish the series because of a stress fracture in his back.

He has since been further hit by groin and ankle injuries, but bowled well in England's draw against South Australia last week.

"It is a vote of confidence for me,'' Gillespie said in Sydney.

"I didn't think it would happen this soon, but I'll take it.''

Ricky Ponting also expressed surprise after winning back the contentious number six batting spot from Darren Lehmann, a decision criticised by former captain Greg Chappell.

Lehmann took over on Australia's recent tour of Pakistan because he is rated a better player of spin bowling, but with England's attack revolving around seamers, Ponting won a recall.

"I was a little surprised when I found out,'' Ponting said. "I thought they would probably go for the same side (from the third Test in Pakistan), but I've been keeping my fingers crossed.

"Over in Pakistan they picked Lehmann because he could handle the spin better, and Ii had no dramas about that.''

Chappell coaches Lehmann at South Australia and admitted he might be biased.

"He's done all that could be asked of him and he's been rebuffed,'' Chappell said. Asked if the selectors had made a mistake, Chappell said, "In my opinion they have. But that's only my opinion and I'm probably a bit biased too.''

Ponting's superior record at the Gabba venue was another factor which swung a tight decision his way.

"Darren Lehmann deserves to play Test cricket,'' said selector Allan Border. "But it was a tough call for us.''

Star spinner Shane Warne missed out, as expected, because of his shoulder injury. Warne is hoping to return in time for the third Test on December 26, but there remains some doubt that he will take any part in the five-Test series.

Also back after missing the Pakistan Tests is paceman Michael Kasprowicz, who put his name in front of the selection panel with a fiery burst in the current four-day match between Queensland and England in Cairns.

Kasprowicz took 6-31 but was unable to send England to the Gabba as a losing team. Robert Croft and Alan Mullally guided the tourists to a one-wicket victory, giving them an unbeaten lead-in to the five-Test series.

Australian captain Mark Taylor, who made a stunning 334 in Pakistan, will play his 100th Test this week.

Team: Mark Taylor (captain), Steve Waugh (vice-captain), Michael Slater, Justin Langer, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Ian Healy, Jason Gillespie, Damien Fleming, Stuart Macgill, Glenn McGrath, Michael Kasprowicz (12th man to be named).