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Kasprowicz is expected to replace the hapless Jason Gillespie who has struggled for wickets throughout the summer and has admitted that he is expecting to be dropped.

He will get the nod rather than the uncapped Shaun Tait. Opening batsman Justin Langer thinks Kasprowicz is on form and will be a handy player to have in the side with the Ashes series currently tied at 1-1 with two Tests to play.

Kasprowicz played in the recent warm-up game against Northamptonshire and Langer said: "That is the best Michael Kasprowicz has bowled all tour.

"He bowled quicker than he has, seemed to have a lot more confidence, was tall at the crease and bowled very well.

"Shaun (Tait) is a bit like Shoaib Akhtar or Brett Lee. He is obviously a strike bowler and a great prospect.

"But I've always said Michael Kasprowicz, in domestic cricket, is the hardest bloke to face."

Kasprowicz has taken 105 wickets in 34 Tests at an average of 31.26 and kept Brett Lee out of the side throughout 2004.

The 33-year-old played instead of the injured Glenn McGrath at Edgbaston and took three wickets in England's first innings.