The veteran fast bowler had his first practice session yesterday after a left knee injury forced him to visit a specialist in Port of Spain on Tuesday.

Ambrose did some sprints then bowled within himself as the team went through a leisurely workout at the Kensington Cricket Club. West Indies fitness adviser Dennis Waight is happy with the progress Ambrose is making. ``The swelling has gone down,'' Waight said. ``We want him to have a full workout. We want him to bowl hard.''

Coach Malcolm Marshall is convinced the injury will not prevent Ambrose from helping to try and level the series after the crushing first Test defeat in Trinidad. ``He's got a little bit of soreness in one knee but he had good workout,'' Marshall said.

Fellow fast bowler Courtney Walsh missed the training session, attending instead a special ceremony at which he was presentedwith the keys to Kingston in recognition of taking 400 Test wickets.

Fast bowler Reon King was another worry for West Indies with a shoulder injury although he had not been expected to be included in the final line-up.

Off-spinner Nehemiah Perry seems certain to make his Test debut when the final 11 is named on Friday and he will be much happier with the appearance of the Sabina Park pitch than West Indies fast bowlers.

It is flat, bare, and should offer considerable assistance to spinners, something which will also delight the Australians. Their leg-spinners Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill are certain to play but captain Steve Waugh has ruled out off-spinner and medium-pacer Colin Miller.

``We could bring him in but I doubt very much if we will change the side,'' Waugh said. This will be the first test at Sabina Park since the match against England in January last year which was abandoned after just 10.1 overs. The pitch was uneven, causing some balls to fly and others to shoot along theground.

England were reduced to 17 for three and a number of batsmen were hit before play was halted. The pitch was relaid last April and supervisor Patrick Gordon said he was delighted with the way it had played in regional matches this season.

``We haven't had anything shooting off a good length or going down to the ankles,'' he said.