Brett Lee

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting labelled Brett Lee as a “big player” and also said that he along with Mitchelle Johnson and Shaun Tait can help Australia to clinch their fourth consecutive world cup trophy.  Lee last played an ODI for Australia in October, last year. He broke down during a warm-up game of the Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies. But, he returned with a good performance last week in state Cricket. He took two wickets against Western Australia.

Ponting further said that he is not worried by how long Lee had spent away from the game. “Brett has always looked after his body well. I know he will be fit and strong. He was last time he came back after a layoff, but unfortunately another part of his body gave way. Still, it will be a big effort,” Ponting said.

“It was his first game in a long time, but if he is bowling fast, or anywhere near his peak, he will have a big impact on domestic cricket and the selectors would be forced to have a look at him for the World Cup,” he added.

The 2011 WC will be hosted by Sri Lanka, India and Bangladesh and is scheduled to be held from February-April. Captain Ponting expressed the fact that in the sub-continent having three bowlers who can consistently bowl at a speed of 145 km/h will be really helpful for troubling the opposition.

Lee has 300 ODI to his name and is the only pacer to have taken more than 100 scalps at a strike rate of below 30.  Nicknamed the speedster the 33 year old had indicated that his main aim was to get selected for the World Cup. “With my love for India and love for the Indian culture, the chance to play over there — World Cup, 50-over cricket — it’s the cream of the crop as far as one-day cricket tournaments go,” Lee had said. “It would be great to be a part of that. That’s what I’m aiming at — definitely,” he added.

The sub-continent pitches are suitable for spinners and they will have a key role to play for their sides. Hauritz is only the name that comes to mind for Aussies. But, he’s a greenhorn and has not matured yet. It would be essential to have someone like Lee to step in. And, maybe with three spearhead bowlers in one side Australia is a team to look out for!!

Tags: Australia, Brett Lee, Cricket, ICC Cricket World Cup 2011, Mitchelle Johnson, Ricky Ponting, Shaun Tait