World Cup 2011: Pacers can also be effective, says Brett Lee

Australian pacer and one of the popular Australians in India, Brett Lee has surprised many by making a comeback into the national squad.

While this may have unsettled a few batsmen, what they should be more worried about is that the bowler is fit and raring to have a go at them.

Lee, who was out of action due to injury, is back and enjoying his bowling.

“I have been injured in the last three or four months. So, when I came back, I told myself to enjoy cricket. This might have surprised a few that I came back into the game after a lengthy gap. But I am proud that I have survived (the injury). Now, I hope to lead from the front (Australian bowling) in the World Cup,” said Lee.

The speedster also felt competition among fast bowlers for a place in final eleven reflects the depth the defending champions have. “It’s very important. It’s great that Australia has got that depth. I would rather be in a situation where we can have some good options than having only 10 or 11 players to pick from,” said Lee.

Lee was cool about the spinners making headlines in the warm-up games. He admitted Indian wickets favoured the spinners but at the same time, that won’t affect the morale of Australian pace battery, also including Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Tait and Doug Bollinger.

“Pitch is a massive factor. And we have Jason Krejza, an excellent spinner. But if you have a guy like Shaun Tait bowling at 160 kmph at batsmen’s toes, it will be tough to negotiate even on a slow wicket,” the 34-year-old said.
It is to be recalled that Lee has not only played on Indian pitches during IPL, but also helped New South Wales Blue with the Champions League. ‘Binga’ was the player of the final and the series as well.

“As a pace bowler, if you bowl at 150 kmph and on the right spots, I think, it can be effective even on slow wickets. That’s what New South Wales had done when we came here for the Champions League. We had a lot of pace bowlers and we’d won the competition even after playing a lot on slow wickets like in Delhi. I don’t really see any problem with the pace set we have got,” Lee said.