Thursday, June 25, 2009

Is Brett Lee a Surety for the Ashes?

Is Brett Lee still the leader of Australia's pace attack?

I am not too sure.

Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, and Ben Hilfenhaus did a top job in South Africa earlier this year.

Lee is coming back from injury as is Stuart Clark. Before they went away, they were the leaders of the attack, with Johnson their aide.

Since then Johnson has surely risen through the ranks and is now undoubtedly Australia's best fast bowler.

So when Lee returns, does he automatically get his place as the leader of the attack back?

His form has hardly been the kind to suggest that.

He suffered in the World T20. He didn't exactly set the IPL on fire. Nor was he a threat to Pakistan in the one-off T20 in Dubai.

So then, is Lee a sure shot for the XI that Australia will field when the Ashes kick off?

The Aussies are playing Sussex right now. As I write, the figures of the pacers are as follows.

Lee 5-0-22-0
Hilfenhaus 5-2-10-1
Siddle 6-0-18-2
Clark 6-3-10-0

Early days yet, but based on this which one will you leave out?

Make your pitch on this post...



Labels: , , , , , , , ,


10 Pitched:

  1. Anonymous said...
     

    he took few steps to regain his place in the team. though not 100% but he has reduced distance by some yards. with his latest double against sussex leaving them at 6/183.

  2. Tifosi Guy said...
     

    Q

    Lee will start the Ashes series - if he remains there would be wholly dependent on how he goes. He isn't the leader of the park - he knows it and pretty much everyone knows it.

    The reason I think he would play is that in addition to his bowling, he is a pretty decent bat. And that is where Australia would be ahead of England - no questions.

    It might come down to whose lower order wags well, and with a lineup that has Haddin/Johnson/Lee/Hauritz - I think at least a 100 runs would come from them. England would have : Prior/Broad/Swann/Anderson.. Can't see these blokes getting close to a 100.

    The Aus line barring injury for the first test would be : Katich, Hughes, Ponting, Clarke, Hussey, North, Haddin, Lee, Johnson, Hauritz and either Hilfenhaus/Clark/Siddle. Personally if Clark is FIT, he would be my choice !

  3. pRAFs said...
     

    i'd drop hauritz.
    was he an option though?

  4. Arsalan said...
     

    its surety not surity

  5. Q said...
     

    Sam,

    He ended the innings well with 3 wickets.. but I still feel the other Aussie quartet is better placed than he is.

  6. Q said...
     

    TG,

    Ur right abt his batting.. but with Johnson and Hauritz after Haddin I think the Aussies are well covered there..

    Are u sure they would go in with Hauritz? They might want to play 4 pacers with North and Clarke sharing the spin duties.

  7. Q said...
     

    Prafs,

    I think so too.

  8. Q said...
     

    Arsalan,

    Thanks. Have changed that.

  9. Anonymous said...
     

    Apparently Lee bowled better than the figures suggest...well according to the commentators. BUt hey, Ponting's made it clear he has a man-crush on Lee, heaping praise on him for his fitness, extra work and dedication. So I think Lee'll be in the 1st test, ahead of Hilfenhaus, even.

  10. Q said...
     

    Anon,

    I didn't watch so I don't know abt that, but he did end better than he started.. and I'm aware abt the man-crush so I think so too that Lee will start...

Post a Comment