Out of form batsman Simon Katich has been dropped from Australia's squad for next week's second Test against West Indies and been replaced by Brad Hodge.

Katich has struggled since returning from the Ashes series in England, scoring just two runs in the Super Test against the ICC World XI, though a century in a first-class match prior to the first West Indies Test earned him another chance ahead of Hodge in Brisbane.

However, Katich was out for a duck in his only innings in the 379-run victory at the Gabba, forcing selectors to make the change.

The middle order batsmen also had a disappointing Ashes series in England, averaging just 27.55 with a top score of 67 in five Tests.

"Simon's form has not been what he expects of himself and we felt it was time to give someone else an opportunity," chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said in a statement on Thursday.

"Brad Hodge has been a very high-scoring player for Victoria for many years and we believe he can do that at Test level.

"We hope Simon scores plenty of runs at domestic level to give himself every opportunity to get back into the team."

Hodge had been in the first Test squad but was let go in favour of left-arm swing bowler Nathan Bracken.

Andrew Symonds has also been brought back into the squad after fellow Queensland all rounder Shane Watson was ruled out with a dislocated shoulder.

Symonds, who can bowl off spin and medium pace, has been recalled after he scored 163 in a first class match against South Australia earlier this week.

He played two Tests on the tour of Sri Lanka in 2004.

"Symonds has been in red hot form with the bat and his medium pace and off spin adds a lot of options to the bowling attack," said Hohns.

"He thoroughly deserves his opportunity at Test level again."

West Australian batsman Mike Hussey has retained his place in the squad for the match starting in Hobart on November 17 after Justin Langer was ruled out with a broken rib.

Hussey had replaced Langer in the first Test in Brisbane, scoring one and 29, and is likely to continue opening the batting with Matthew Hayden.

Leg spinner Stuart MacGill has also been included after he was named 12th man for the Brisbane Test, then released to play domestic cricket.

MacGill's chances of playing and combining with Shane Warne in potent leg-spin attack seems likely after captain Ricky Ponting said he expected the Bellerive wicket to take spin.

"It will spin, there's no doubt about that," Ponting told the Australian newspaper on Thursday.

"It's not one that breaks up and spins as much as Sydney does. Saying that, I think Warne and MacGill are going to turn it on most surfaces anyway.

"I expect the wicket down there to be fairly slow and a bit bouncy on the first day and then flatten out and start turning later in the game."

The pair combined for 15 of the 20 wickets in Australia's 210-run victory over the ICC World XI in Sydney last month.

"They certainly worked well together in the last few opportunities they've had to play with each other," said Ponting.

"The Super Test [against the ICC World XI] was just phenomenal.

"They were bowling to the best batsmen in the world there and made quite a few of them look reasonably silly.

"It's a great prospect for the team to have two guys of that calibre just waiting in the wings."

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Nathan Bracken, Michael Clarke, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hodge, Mike Hussey, Brett Lee, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds, Shane Warne.