Australia yet to name Sussex 12

Seamer Nathan Bracken could be in line to feature for Australia against Sussex

Australia are still no closer to finalising their 12-man team for their opening tour match against Sussex, which starts in Hove on Wednesday.

If vice-captain Michael Clarke knew the make-up of the side, he was giving away very little today as the squad prepared to leave their London base to head to Brighton.

The decision to allow both sides to play 12 means Australia will be able to take five bowlers into the game.

Mitchell Johnson is considered a certainty but there will be nervous waits for the other six bowlers in the squad.

"I'm not sure what Ricky (Ponting) and the selectors have decided on the first practice game but we obviously have the advantage of playing 12 to give somebody else the opportunity," Clarke said.

"Whether we decide to play our Test 12 or 11 in Hove I have absolutely no idea."

Tour games on Australia's two most recent overseas Test campaigns have seen players play themselves in or out of sides.

In India, Jason Krejza was forced to wait an extra three Tests to make his debut after a horror game against an Indian Board President's XI where he was crunched for 199 runs at more than six an over.

A similarly expensive performance by Victorian leg-spinner Bryce McGain against South Africa's equivalent side in February saw his hopes of playing the first Test of that series evaporate.

Conversely, Western Australian batsman Marcus North booked a berth in the side with two unbeaten half-centuries and a six-wicket haul with his part-time spin.

The match, the side's first competitive game in more than a fortnight, also gives Australia a chance to break the regime of practice, buses and hotels.

"We're all a little bit sick of training," Clarke said. "I think that keenness and hunger will show on the field come three days time in Hove."