Pattinson in for Starc in Aussie line-up versus WI

HOBART, Australia (AP):

Fast bowler James Pattinson will replace the injured Mitchell Starc in Australia's team for the first Test against the West Indies beginning tomorrow (this evening Jamaica time).

Australia captain Steve Smith said yesterday that Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood and Peter Siddle will form the hosts' pace attack. Pattinson, who returns for his first Test since March 2014, edged out Nathan Coulter-Nile, who will be 12th man.

Starc sustained stress fracture in his right foot in the final Test against New Zealand and will not play in any of the three Tests against the West Indies. The teams play the second Test beginning December 26 in Melbourne and conclude the series in Sydney from January 3.

"I think he has played enough. He has been bowling really well; he deserves his chance," Smith said of Pattinson. "He just needs to go out and do what he does well. He is similar to Hazlewood, the way he bowls. Hopefully, those two can lead the attack well."

Smith said the Australian batting order would remain the same despite speculation that wicketkeeper Peter Nevill would replace all-rounder Mitch Marsh at No. 6.

NATURAL GAME

"He's there to do a job, to score runs for the team," Smith said of Marsh. "Hopefully, he plays his natural game."

Cricket fans in Hobart have shown lacklustre interested in the match, with just over 15,000 tickets sold for the first four days. The Tasmanian capital has hosted 11 Tests since its first against Sri Lanka in 1989, with the average attendance about 21,000.

Line-ups: Australia: David Warner, Joe Burns, Steve Smith (captain), Adam Voges, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Peter Nevill, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

West Indies: Jason Holder (captain), Kragg Brathwaite, Devandra Bishoo, Jermaine Blackwood, Carlos Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Rajendra Chandrika, Shane Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shai Hope, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Jomel Warrican.