Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar [ Images ] has been omitted from the World XI squad to face Australia [ Images ] in the six-day Super Test starting at the Sydney [ Images ] Cricket Ground on Friday.

Shoaib was originally included in a 13-man squad but captain Graeme Smith [ Images ] told a news conference on Thursday the paceman had missed out on a place in the final 12.

South Africa's [ Images ] Smith said a decision on which of the remaining players would serve as 12th man would not be made until just before the start of play.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting [ Images ] said he also wanted to inspect the pitch on Friday morning before finalising the make-up of his side.

Both teams are expected to play two spinners on a Sydney pitch that traditionally favours slow bowling.

Shoaib is recognised as the world's fastest bowler but performed below his best in last week's one-day series in Melbourne [ Images ], which the Australians won 3-0.

He conceded 110 runs without taking a wicket from just 17 overs in the first two matches of the series and did not play in the third game.

Squads:

Australia: Ricky Ponting (captain), Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden [ Images ], Michael Clarke [ Images ], Simon Katich [ Images ], Brad Hodge [ Images ], Adam Gilchrist [ Images ], Shane Watson [ Images ], Shane Warne [ Images ], Brett Lee [ Images ], Glenn McGrath [ Images ], Stuart MacGill.

World XI: Graeme Smith (South Africa, captain), Virender Sehwag [ Images ] (India [ Images ]), Rahul Dravid [ Images ] (India), Inzamam-ul-Haq [ Images ] (Pakistan), Brian Lara [ Images ] (West Indies [ Images ]), Jacques Kallis [ Images ] (South Africa), Andrew Flintoff [ Images ] (England [ Images ]), Mark Boucher [ Images ] (South Africa), Shaun Pollock [ Images ] (South Africa), Daniel Vettori [ Images ] (New Zealand [ Images ]), Steve Harmison [ Images ] (England), Muttiah Muralitharan [ Images ] (Sri Lanka [ Images ]).

Umpires: Simon Taufel (Australia), Rudi Koertzen [ Images ] (South Africa).