Pace ace Lee desperate to make impact

BRETT LEE may be the star name of the Australian bowling attack but he is taking nothing for granted.

That is why four days in Hove is just as important to the 32-year-old as it is to the younger members of the squad.

Lee has more than 300 Test wickets to his name and is one of the senior figures in an Australian squad going through a transitional phase.

The names of other bowlers such as Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus may not yet roll off the tongue but Lee knows his reputation alone will not get him into the team for the first Ashes Test in Cardiff starting on July 8.

In previous years games against counties such as the match with Sussex would be no more than an exercise to fine tune the Aussies’ best XI or to give someone a run-out who would not figure in the Tests.

But places are up for grabs in several areas this year and a good performance at the County Ground is vital, not just for the peripheral members of the squad but for Lee himself.

He said: “There is a lot of competition for places. Sixteen into 11 doesn’t go. It doesn’t matter how hard you try there will be some players who miss out. That is cricket, that is life.

“I have been on both sides of the fence. In India in 2004 I was 12th man for four matches straight. If you miss out you have to put your best foot forward and try to get into the 11 next time.

“You can’t take too much out of Twenty20 cricket into a Test match. The true test will be in these two trial matches (Sussex and England Lions next week). Without putting too much pressure on ourselves it will be a bit of a shootout.

“I have always had one eye on the Ashes. It is my third trip, I love England and the opportunity to play over here but I know if I don’t do the business out on the cricket field I can’t expect to be chosen.

“I have taken 300 Test wickets but if you are not taking wickets and are not happy with the way the ball is coming out you can’t expect anything.”

Lee, already a household name by then, endeared himself to the English public in the 2005 Ashes series with his performances both with the ball and, perhaps more so, his gritty displays with the bat.

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