BRISBANE -- Australian captain Mark Taylor indicated Thursday he would play two spinners, Shane Warne and Tim May, in his attempt to extend England's Ashes woes in the first cricket test starting Friday in Brisbane.


The pitch at the Gabba ground traditionally favors fast bowlers, but it looks unusually dry and is expected to take a turn for the worse as the match wears on.


On the eve of the Ashes series, Taylor told reporters there was a "strong possibility" May would partner leg spinner Warne at the expense of one of the pace bowlers.


The pair shared 52 wickets in 1993 when the touring Australians routed their traditional foes 4-1 to win their third straight Ashes series.


Warne captured 34 of those wickets but credited much of his success to May's ability to tie down batsmen with his accurate off-breaks.


"They bowled well in tandem in England last year and helped create good pressure," Taylor said. "Both are in good form with the ball too, with Tim taking 10 wickets for South Australia against Western Australia in Perth recently," he added.


If May is selected, it is expected that pace bowler Damien Fleming will be omitted.


England have chosen their team, but refused Thursday to name it. "We don't see why we should give the Australians our line-up now to let them prepare accordingly," team manager Keith Fletcher said.


Debate among England tour selectors has revolved around whether Mike Gatting or John Crawley should bat at number six.