|
Paul Bolton, sports writer for The Sports HQ
Australia cricket coach Tim Nielsen insists that Brett Lee won't be rushed back into action too quickly despite the fast bowler being named in the squad for the one-day series against Pakistan in Dubai next week.
Lee, who uses Woodworm cricket bats, has not played since he had an ankle operation in January but he is a surprise inclusion in Australia’s squad for the one-day series which is being played on neutral territory because of the security situation in Pakistan.
Lee’s selection means that he will miss out on a lucrative contract with IPL franchise side Kings XI Punjab but it will give Australia the chance to assess his fitness before they select their squad for this summer’s Ashes series in England.
"We're looking forward to him coming to Dubai," Nielsen said.
"We'll take the opportunity to sit down and have a chat with him and see how he's going and make sure we understand where he's at with his bowling and how he's going with his body.
"I'm just pleased they picked him to play for us. We want our best players around playing for us whenever possible.
"But we can't afford to rush him back either. We need the best plan of attack on his rehab and making sure his body is right before he starts trying to bowl flat out for Australia again.
"We need to be patient and give him the time to work through what he has got to do, bowling properly and going flat out again versus the impatience of wanting him back around the group and looking forward to having a quality bowler back.
"We understand where we're at with it. He's pretty comfortable and pleased to be over here bowling in the sun and getting outside.
"Our physio Alex Kountouris will have a chat with their physios (Kings XI Punjab)."
Lee is planning to play a key role in Australia's Ashes defence in July, although the inexperienced pairing of Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus provided solid back-up for Mitchell Johnson in Australia's 2-1 Test triumph in South Africa last month.
|