Match figures of 0-188 may not seem the ideal Test preparation for Australia’s senior bowler but Brett Lee is full of confidence going into next week’s first Test against Sri Lanka.
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Lee laboured long and hard for 50 overs without reward on a flat SCG pitch in the drawn four-day game against Queensland that finished on Monday.
But he was delighted with how he bowled in his first long spell since ankle surgery in April.
“To get through 50 overs at really good pace, I’m really pleased with the way I bowled,” Lee said.
“The only thing I could do in this game was to try to bowl the right line and length, get the ball going through to (wicketkeeper) Brad Haddin.
“I felt like my pace was right back to its best — even a bit quicker than I’ve been bowling for a long, long time.
“There were a few chances, a few decisions turned down, so hopefully in the Test match the catches will stick and the wickets will come my way.”
Lee said he felt completely fresh despite the workload, and the only reminder he had of four hard days of cricket was a couple of blisters.
“The ankle felt a hundred per cent – you go from bowling four overs in a Twenty20 match or 10 overs in a one-day match to bowling out here on a four-day wicket that was low, slow, with massive foot holes, and my body came through fighting fit, which was great.”
Lee was not the only prospective Test bowler who did it tough.
Queenslander Mitchell Johnson, who is hoping to make his Test debut at the Gabba next week, also went wicketless in his 36 overs.
Lee, who was back at the SCG yesterday launching his version of the children’s book Childhood Heroes, had some words of comfort for young left-armer Johnson.
“Even though like me, he didn’t get any wickets, I thought Mitch bowled well,” Lee said.
“He got the work that he needed to get out of it. He’s been bowling beautifully so there’s no need for him to panic.”
