Jason Gillespie was dropped from the Australian line-up to play Northamptonshire on Saturday, prompting speculation he will not face England [ Images ] in the fourth Ashes cricket Test at Trent Bridge.

The paceman, who has been a regular starter for four years, has struggled with the ball during the current series, which stands at 1-1 with two Tests to play.

With Gillespie left out of the team for the two-day game against Northants, Michael Kasprowicz and Shaun Tait [ Images ] will play and it seems likely one of them will join Glenn McGrath [ Images ], Brett Lee [ Images ] and Shane Warne [ Images ] in the bowling attack to face England in Nottingham.

Australia [ Images ] captain Ricky Ponting [ Images ], whose 156 in the second innings at Old Trafford helped Australia draw the third Test, is rested for the game at Northampton along with wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist [ Images ] and legspinner Shane Warne.

Australia and Northants agreed that both sides could use 12 players in the game. That meant legspinner Stuart MacGill can bowl but not bat.