October 31 Thursday 2002
Brett Lee warns England of things to come

SYDNEY: Australia's struggling fast bowler Brett Lee has warned England of things to come during Ashes series which commences November 7 at Brisbane. Lee, one of the fastest bowlers in the world, has been suffering from a severe dip in form but he believes his form will return to devastating effect against England in the Ashes cricket series.

Lee took just five wickets in the series against Pakistan. "Probably the last series against Pakistan wasn't the best but in the conditions I thought I did a pretty good job.

"Steve Waugh encouraged me, saying that if I continue to bowl the way I am I will get a lot of wickets this season because I bowl with good pace and good line and length."

Australia are expected to use Lee to support new-ball pair Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie and leg-break bowler Shane Warne in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane but his place is not certain and back-up paceman Andy Bichel may still win a Test cap.

Lee made a stunning debut in December 1999 against India in Melbourne, taking match figures of seven for 78, and claimed 42 wickets at 16.07 in his first seven Tests. The 25-year-old's career figures of 89 wickets at 27.94 from 24 Tests include 47 wickets in his last 17 matches and a poor return of just five wickets at 46.8 in the three-Test series against Pakistan.

Australia chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns has said he would like to see more from Lee. Lee said he was happy with the way he was bowling. "I still think I'm bowling very, very well so I'm very confident going into this next series," he said. "Pace is my biggest asset and that's what I'll be taking into the next series. Coming back into the Australian wickets it will be a lot better."