Brett Lee in top gear ahead of the ICC World Cup 2011
Australian pace spearhead Brett Lee is extremely happy with his comeback at the international level. Lee was in top flight in the third ODI against England claiming 3 wickets, which won him a man of the match award, besides taking his team to a 4 wicket win and 3-0 lead in the seven match series.
Lee was down and out for most part of the Australian summer, yet made a great comeback with an astounding performance that has surprised many cricketing pundits who had written him off after a spate of injuries, and loss of form. After the Sydney win, Lee stated that he was thoroughly enjoying bowling at full tilt after his long absence.
"When you've been away from the game for 15 months it's nice to get back," he said. "I never knew if I'd get the chance again for Australia. It's been a lot of fun and to win three from three is the most important thing. I'm now back playing for Australia and to make the World Cup squad was something I've always wished so I'll enjoy myself."
Brett Lee found great support from his current captain Michael Clarke, who is at the helm of the team in the absence of the injured Ricky Ponting. Clarke thinks that Lee would be a great success at next month’s World Cup as he is one of the key players who can make a real difference to the attack, with his pace swing and uncanny knack of taking wickets.
The right armer from New South Wales has been registering high numbers on the speed gun, but it's his control and experience which has been so valuable.
Things have been shaping well for Clarke and his teammates after they were blown away by the visitors in the Ashes series, the Aussies have already taken a 3-0 lead in the series and have had their bowlers doing wonderfully well, as they continue to trouble the visitors with their professional approach in all facets of the game.
The pace attack looks beefy at the minute, the likes of Lee, Shaun Tait, Mitchell Johnson and Doug Bollinger make the Aussie attack one of the most formidable in the world and the task is tough to decide whom to play and whom to leave out of the team.
Joining the group is all-rounder John Hastings who performed brilliantly in his first outing in the series today.
"It's going to be tough," Clarke said. "I thought John Hastings made the most of his opportunity today with bat and ball and he's a great guy to have around. Brett's experience and knowledge, he's been waiting a long time to get back into this team so it will be hard to ask him to have a rest. I don't like my chances to be honest."
The Aussies have four more games to play and Clarke added that the pacers would be rotated properly so that they are protected from undue stress before the coveted World Cup, which is the ultimate aim for a team that has won the last three editions of the tournament.
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