PERTH, Nov 10: New Zeal-and opening batsman Mark Greatbatch Wednesday declared himself fit to play in the first cricket Test against Australia, reports AP.

Greatbatch has not played for almost three weeks after breaking his left forefinger during a match against Western Australia

The left-hander passed a fitness test on Wednesday morn Ing and said he was a certain candidate for the Test, which starts Friday at the WACA Ground.

He batted for more than 20 RInutes against fast bowlers anny Morrison. Simon Doull and Willie Watson and then made himself available to part ner Blair Pocock at the top of the order.

Tm available for selection." Greatbatch said. There's a lot of jarring there still but the finger has come on really well."

In the last two days. I've had very good workouts and its felt good

The only problem Is that I haven't had any cricket for

about three weeks, but I feel good about getting out there.

Greatbatch said he wasn't concerned about his lack of match practice.

"1 think form goes out the window for Test matches." he said. "Sometimes I’ve played very well In Test matches without haring any form to take into the game. "

"It's a matter of getting the Une right and competing.'

Two New Zealanders suffered minor injuries during practice on Wednesday, but both will be fit to play.

Captain Martin Crowe suffered bruising his left bicep after being hit by a bouncer from Doull. while paceman Murphy Sua was cut on the mouth when hit by a ball thrown from close range by team physiotherapist Mark Plummer.

One man who will be keen to test out the resolve of the New Zealanders is Australian fast bowler Craig McDermott, who will return to Test action after missing most of Australia's Ashes Series win in England

Australia won that series 4-1 despite McDermott's absence

with a groin injury.

“I was disappointed, but now I Just have to get on with the rest of my career.” McDermott said.

"I don't think I've been in better shape and I've been very focused on what I've had to do to get back."

McDermott will be without his longtime strike partner Merv-Hughes. who is recovering from knee surgery, but said he expected good support from Paul Reiffel and Rookie Glenn McGrath.

The Australians have not settled on a starting lineup but may leave out spinner Tim May despite captain Allan Border's fascination with the possibility of using two spinners on a pitch that normally favors pace.

Bowling here is completely different to bowling anywhere else in Australia." said May’s spinning colleague Shane Warne

The thing you’re going to have in your favor is the bounce."

"You might get wickets with players trying to cut. or from edges when they misjudge the bounce."