Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar [Images] has been omitted from the World XI squad to face Australia in the six-day Super Test starting at the Sydney 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 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, 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, Brad Hodge, Adam Gilchrist [Images], Shane Watson, Shane Warne [Images], Brett Lee [Images], Glenn McGrath, Stuart MacGill.

World XI: Graeme Smith (South Africa, captain), Virender Sehwag [Images] (India), 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 (England), Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka [Images]).

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