Mitchell Johnson has emerged as Australia's most important player at the Gabba after injury and poor form to others left the pace ace spearheading an inexperienced attack on the liveliest wicket in the land.

Selectors have handed Steve Smith, who will bat at No.4, a pace trio missing seasoned campaigners Ryan Harris and Peter Siddle for his first appearance as captain.

In their place are a debutant, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc, who has not played consecutive Tests since his first two three years ago. Hazlewood, a gentle giant from the bush, will become Australia's 440th Test player.

The absence of Harris, who is nursing a mild quadriceps strain, and the out-of-favour Siddle has placed added pressure on Johnson.

The left-armer is returning to the venue where he terrorised England's batsmen 12 months ago and started a run that launched him back to superstardom.

It will be the first time since the series in South Africa that Johnson has been presented a pitch that will suit his frightening pace.

"It's exciting for our fast bowlers to finally have something that's going to have some liveliness to it," Smith said on Tuesday.

The steep bounce on offer at the Gabba, which is expected to be lightning fast on the opening two days, were key reasons why Starc and Hazlewood were picked.

Like Johnson, the pair are capable of pushing into the high 140s, which will take India's batsmen well outside their comfort zone.

The pitch is not the green monster it appeared on Monday but the Australians are yet to decide if they will bat first if they win the toss.

Curator Kevin Mitchell jnr said it would be well worth considering sending the opposition in if the forecast overcast conditions prevail.

Smith is expecting Hazlewood to make an impact on debut, believing the giant quick's height and bounce were tailor-made for success at the Gabba.

"It's very exciting. I've watched Josh very closely over the last couple of years at NSW and he impresses me every time," Smith said.

"I think he's only getting better and better. I think this pitch out here will suit him perfectly, he's very skilful for his age and I'm looking forward to seeing him zing a few through and bowl with that extra bit of pace and get that extra bit of bounce as well."

Hazlewood hails from the small town Bendemeer – near Tamworth – which has a population of 478.

The quietly spoken 23-year-old was a former junior javelin champion who was earmarked for great deeds from an early age.

"He was opening the bowling for us and I was umpiring at square leg and I saw how far the keeper was standing back to him at that stage," his junior coach Gordon Rae said.

"At that stage I was playing first-grade myself and I looked at him from side on and thought, 'holy dooley, here we've got a kid in year 7 or 8 that's already bowling at speeds similar to people who have been playing first grade in Tamworth for a fair few years.'

"I've been coaching schoolboy cricket teams for nearly 20 years now and in terms of bowling, he's been head and shoulders above anyone I've seen this way."

Selectors decided against risking Harris, who pulled up sore from his first Test in nine months. He is expected to be available for the Boxing Day Test.

Starc's extra pace was a key to him winning the nod before Siddle, who appears again to have dropped in speed despite working hard on his strength during the winter.

Siddle, who turned 30 last month, faces an uncertain future. He is eight shy of 200 Test wickets but opportunities could be limited if Hazlewood and Starc take their opportunities. Young gun James Pattinson is also waiting in the wings.

"We just wanted to play a bowler with a bit of extra pace and bounce," Smith said

"Mitchell went back and bowled really well for NSW in the last couple of Shield games.

"It's very disappointing for Peter Siddle, who has been a terrific bowler over a long period of time. He's certainly not out of the loop.

"He's still in and around the team and hopefully he'll get another game soon."