On the eve of the 4th test the Million dollar question that is yet to be answered is whether Brett Lee will be playing or not in Headingley. Aussies for sure will be desperate to get him back in the field if he is 100% fit to lead a pace attack that was mediocre so far with the exception of Ben Hilfenhaus. There is no doubt in anyones mind that Lee (if fully fit) will be the trump card for Ricky Ponting. His speed, variations and especially his ability to reverse swing the old ball will be a huge plus for the Aussies. Now lets go to issue in detail.If both Brett Lee and Stuart Clark are ready to play will the Aussies be tempted to field both?. In that case there are some tricky decisions to be made. It is almost clear that Peter Siddle will make make way for Lee or Clark if they returns. But if Aussies are planning to include both of them....hmmmm...will they drop Hauritz who is one of their best performers so far....or....will they drop Johnson who had an erratic series so far?. I think if they are going to include Lee and Clark they will drop Hauritz because of the talk of a seamer friendly wicket at Headingley and they will depend more on the part time spin of Clarke, North and Katich.
Personally I would like to see a fully fit Brett Lee charging in and bowl consistantly in the 150 km/hr mark. There is no more joy than to watch an express bowler fully fit and bowling fast in seamer friendly conditions......isn't it guys...?
12 Comments:
Baiju,
If he plays then it will be a really a trumpcard for Australia to change the current fate of series.
Yeah Vikas, Absolutely
Hey Baiju
I like your articles mate. I will make a stop by more often.
Stuart Clark is the must pick for the 4th Test. No more needs to be said then. But having said that, if the 4 man pace attack is taken with Brett managing his body ok and firing those pace deliveries, it will be epic! But the risk is genuine to play him...but we will have to wait and see till tomorrow! Thanks for stopping by 'The Baggy Green, Chirps and Quick Singles'!
Thanks Ian for having a look...cheers
Lee is a good bowler but for the track at Headngley it needs bowlers who can consistently hit the good length spot and occasionally bowl full but Lee can spray it around. I have to also add that England did miss the consistent Siders.
I wrote about Lee in my blog and I have also written a few more articles.
http://greyblazer.blogspot.com/
Hi Greyblazer,
Thanks for popping in, yes, anyway Lee was not picked for the 4th test and I also thought Sidebottom should have got the nod ahead of Harmison.
I think Clark has cemented his place in the team.If Lee becomes completely fit, the Australians will have a formidable bowling attack again.
Hi Ottayan,
You're right, but the dilemma will be, if everyone is fit who will play and who will make way for who....? Tough one isn't it...?
If Lee is fully fit a gamble of playing him ahead of Johnson can still be taken at Oval.
I know such a gamble may not be taken but the Oval track does help quicker bowlers to get reverse and Lee at his best can surely get reverse swing.
Hauritz too can come into play as the Oval track can offer a bit of bounce.
Lets see if they bring in Lee for Oval, Mitchell Johnson has the most possible chance to be in the firing line with Siddle bursting back into form and Clark showing what he can do.
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