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Paul Bolton, sports writer for The Sports HQ
Australia fast bowler Brett Lee has flown to South Africa in an attempt to speed up his recovery from an ankle operation.
Lee, who uses Woodworm cricket bats, has not played since he broke down with the injury in the Boxing Day Test against South Africa in Melbourne but he will train with the touring Australians in South Africa in the coming days.
Lee’s appearance in South Africa has fuelled speculation that he might be named in Australia’s squad for the forthcoming one-day series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
Australia are set to announce their squad tomorrow but the more likely option is for Lee to be allowed to play his first cricket since he underwent surgery in January for the Kings XI Punjab in the IPL later this month.
Lee has adhered to a punishing training regime since he had surgery and Australia’s medical staff are understood to be impressed with his progress.
Australia are keen that Lee should be back playing as quickly as possible and have the chance to prove his fitness as they want him to spearhead their attack in this summer’s Ashes series in England.
Lee has mostly been confined to bowling indoors in recent weeks as most Australian cricket grounds have been turned over to the nation's various football codes in the Southern Hemisphere autumn.
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