Hazlewood, Bracewell preferred over Siddle, Henry

Josh Hazlewood and Doug Bracewell have won the final places in their respective attacks for the first Test in Brisbane, preferred over Peter Siddle and Matt Henry. Siddle had replaced Hazlewood for the last Test of the Ashes this year and was impressive in collecting 6 for 67 in the match, but Australia's selectors were swayed by the bounce and pace that a refreshed Hazlewood should offer at the Gabba.

It was at this venue that Hazlewood made his Test debut last summer, and although he suffered whole-body cramps in the heat on day one, he finished with five wickets in the first innings. Hazlewood has had an excellent first year in Test cricket, with 40 wickets at 21.75 so far, and the Australians were keen to have him back in the side after a decent post-Ashes break.

"I think we saw it last year against India, the way he could hit high on the bat and bring those keeper and slips into play I think this and the WACA will certainly suit him," captain Steven Smith said. "He has come a long way. He has learnt a lot out of England and he bowled really well last week in the Shield game. He's in a good place and hopefully he can have similar results to what he had out here last year."

The move means that Siddle again finds himself on the fringes of Australia's Test team, having played only one of the home Tests against India last summer and one on this year's Ashes tour. Siddle may be released from the squad to take part in Victoria's Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales, starting at the SCG on Friday.

"Disappointing for him, he bowled extremely well in the last Test match at The Oval against England, but that's the team we've gone with," Smith said. "Josh Hazlewood had a lot of success out here last year against India. I think he'll complement both the left-armers really well. There's going to be a bit of extra pace and bounce on this wicket, like we'd normally expect."

New Zealand similarly had only one real decision to make at the selection table ahead of this Test: Henry or Bracewell. Henry picked up eight wickets at 42.50 during this year's Test series in England; Bracewell took five in his last Test, against Sri Lanka in Wellington in January, and was the decisive player with nine wickets in the win over Australia last time the teams met, in Hobart in 2011.

"They're both very similar bowlers," New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said. "Matt Henry got an opportunity in England and did a pretty good job. The Test before we went to England, Doug Bracewell played and did a pretty good job for us as well. It's a bit of a coin toss with them but we were comfortable either way. In the end we had to make a decision and we thought Doug was bowling just a touch better at this point in time."