AUSTRALIA has named an unchanged side for the Third Test against New Zealand in Auckland tomorrow, meaning Brett Lee is again 12th man for the world champions.
It's the third successive time the New South Wales paceman has been relegated to Esky duties since his blistering form in the one-day series which Australia won 5-0 prior to the Tests.
Lee was left out of the Test team again today after solid bowling from fast bowling stalwarts Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie, as well as a similarly strong showing from Michael Kasprowicz, ensured the fast men around Shane Warne's leg spin would not change.
Kasproqicz, whose Queensland side lost the Pura Cup in heart-breaking cicumstances to Lee's Blues side, took his 100th Test victim in the rain-affected Second Test in Wellington, which finished in a draw on Monday thanks to the weather.
He hinted that he still felt pressure from Lee, despite confirmation from Australia captain Ricky Ponting immediately after the Wellington match that he had cemented his place in the side.
"The bowlers have once again been outstanding and ... are doing very, very well and keeping Brett out of the side,'' Ponting said.
With rain predicted over the weekend, New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming is again entertaining thoughts of a manufactured result through attacking declarations.
Ponting, though, indicated he wouldn't make any generous declarations as a Black Caps victory would tie a series dominated by the tourists.
"You never know what's going to happen with the weather, you just have to think on your feet during the course of the game and hope we get five fine days in and get a result," he said.
Australia will look to wrap-up the series at Eden Park before heading off to England for the much-anticipated Ashes series against Michael Vaughan's men.
New Zealand, meanwhile, which was also white-washed by England in a recent Test series, will look for a reversal of fortunes, not least Fleming.
Having failed as an opening batsman in the first two Tests, the lef hander has dropped himself back down the order to No.4 for the final match.
James Marshall is into the side to join identical twin brother Hamish at the expense of Craig McMillan, who was dropped from the Black Caps' XI after a disappointing Second Test.
- TOBY FORAGE