November 06 Wednesday 2002
Gillespie clearance puts Ashes spotlight on Brett Lee

BRISBANE: The spotlight swung on to Brett Lee on Tuesday after fellow Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie proved he was ready for the opening Ashes Test with England at the Gabba.

Lee, who ranks with Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar as the quickest bowler in world cricket, has been pushed into a fight for the third and final fast bowling position with Andy Bichel.

Gillespie, who has taken 126 wickets in 34 Tests, successfully tested his suspect calf muscle in the nets here Tuesday and is now expected to share the new ball with spearhead Glenn McGrath.

Lee, who exploded into Test cricket with 42 wickets in his first seven Tests, only took five wickets in the recent three-Test series with Pakistan and his place in the team is under threat.

Bichel has only played eight Tests in six years and is knocking on the door to play on his home ground after impressing with eight wickets at 13.25 against Pakistan. Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns gave no indication of whether Lee would play after watching Gillespie sail through his fitness test on Tuesday. "We've got to decide on who will play and I'll have a chat to the captain (Steve Waugh) and go from there," Hohns said.

Gillespie and Gilchrist, who has been in hospital receiving treatment for an infected elbow, are expected to play against England. Waugh has always been a strong supporter of Lee but the final decision rests with the selection panel, which overlooked reputations by sacking 128-Test veteran Mark Waugh from Test cricket last week.

Lee, 26 on Friday, has lost his grip on his place in the team since returning from elbow surgery for the last Ashes series in England last year, taking 47 wickets from then up until now at 38.55. But Lee has his supporters with former Test paceman Merv Hughes saying this week that his intimidation factor was needed against England on the bouncy Australian wickets.