Aussie ace Lee all fired up to face Sussex

The Australians are coming

Ricky Ponting is ready to unleash Brett Lee on the Sussex batsman tomorrow and claims: “I’ve never seen him in better shape.”

Lee will lead the Australian attack in the first match of the Ashes tour after recovering from foot and ankle injuries which eventually forced him to undergo surgery.

Lee has taken 310 wickets in 76 Tests and his experience will be key to Ponting’s hopes of retaining the Ashes because three of the other quick bowlers in Australia’s squad – Andrew McDonald, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus – have only played 12 Tests between them.

Lee will play against Sussex and in next week’s warm-up game against England Lions at Worcester before the first Test starts in Cardiff in a fortnight.

Ponting said: “Brett is looking good at the moment. He’s trained harder than I’ve ever seen him train, whether that is with his bowling, in the gym or the extra stuff that he does.

“To see him in the shape he’s in is a real positive for us and I know he’s chomping at the bit to get out there on Wednesday against Sussex and start playing again.”

Australia will name their squad for what is a 12-a-side game today and Ponting is expecting there to be fierce competition among his pacemen in the two warm-up games before the first Test.

Read the full article at The Argus website >>>