PERTH, Jan 10: Australian selectors named an unchanged side here Thursday for the third Test against India, keeping faith with the team which retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in controversial circumstances.

Left-handed opener Matthew Hayden was named in the 12-man squad despite struggling with a hamstring injury while spinner Brad Hogg, who is facing a ban for making an offensive remark in the explosive second Test, also kept his place.

The third Test has taken on added significance after the events of Sydney, which ended in charges of racism and abusive language and widespread criticism of the aggressive behaviour of the Australian team, which narrowly won.

The Perth match may even be in doubt if India’s appeal against Harbhajan Singh’s racism ban fails.

The visitors briefly put their tour on hold until umpire Steve Bucknor, faulted over a number of key decisions, was axed from the series and said they would continue to review the situation.

If Hayden is unable to play, he will be replaced by either West Australian opener Chris Rogers, currently playing against India in a three-day game in Canberra, or prolific New South Wales middle-order batsman Simon Katich.

Chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said Hayden’s fitness would be reviewed leading up the match.

Hogg could lose his spot in the team if Australia choose to go with four fast bowlers, a realistic option on what is expected to be a traditionally fast and bouncy WACA wicket.

South Australia’s Shaun Tait is sure to be considered to replace Hogg, especially after a fiery spell in a Twenty20 international against New Zealand here last month.

WACA curator Cameron Sutherland said on Thursday that he expected plenty of pace and bounce and little assistance for spinners in the third Test. Australia have won both Tests against India at the WACA Ground.

India trail 0-2 in the four-match series.

Squad: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Phil Jaques, Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark, Shaun Tait. –AFP