November 15 Friday 2002
Lee, Bichel shine in late bids for Ashes Test place

SYDNEY: Brett Lee and Andy Bichel took nine wickets between them in interstate matches on Thursday as they continued their battle for a place in Australia's side for next week's second test against England.

Lee was named 12th man and Bichel took two wickets in last week's first Ashes test, which Australia won by 384 runs in Brisbane. Australia announced an unchanged 12 on Thursday for the second test in Adelaide starting on November 21.

Lee took 5-80 off 25 overs for New South Wales as South Australia scored 319 for five at the close of the first day's play in the four-day interstate match at Sydney Cricket Ground. New South Wales coach Steve Rixon said of Lee: "He is bowling fast, he's bowling straight and he's bowling with the lethal power of a guy that's capable of destroying an English side."

Lee, who responded to his Test axing by taking 10 wickets in a match against Tasmania last week, gave another strong performance on Thursday despite David Fitzgerald and Test batsman Darren Lehmann adding 191 for the second wicket.

Fitzgerald scored 153 in almost six hours, hitting 21 boundaries before he was caught behind, while the left-handed Lehmann was bowled by Lee for 97 when South Australia lost their second wicket at 244. Queensland paceman Bichel took 4-46 as Tasmania wasted an excellent start and were all out for 187 on the first day of a four-day match in Brisbane.

Sent in to bat, Ricky Ponting's side put on 104 without loss before Bichel removed openers Michael Di Venuto for 50 and Jamie Cox for 51 in successive overs. Queensland captain Michael Kasprowicz, who took the new ball with Bichel, then had test number three Ponting caught at deep square for seven as Tasmania proceeded to lose 10 wickets for 83.

Defending champions Queensland were 69 for one at the close of play, trailing by 118 runs on the first innings. Australia leg-break bowler Shane Warne won the toss for competition leaders Victoria and elected to bat but the visitors were bowled out for just 110 in 51.5 overs in Perth against Western Australia.

Jo Angel and Michael Clark each took four wickets for Western Australia who were 134 for three in reply at the close of play. Opener Jason Arnberger top-scored for Victoria with 28 and Warne hit 25 off 33 balls. Test wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist celebrated his 31st birthday with four catches for Western Australia. Mike Hussey added 54 for the first wicket with Western Australia's test opener Justin Langer (10) and was third man out at 105 for 56 in two hours with 10 boundaries.