Australia drop Brett Lee for first Test

Australia's fastest bowler, Brett Lee, has been dropped for Thursday's first Ashes Test against England after a prolonged form slump.

Captain Steve Waugh, announcing a surprise selection, told a news conference on Wednesday that Lee had lost his place to veteran Queensland paceman Andy Bichel.

Lee and Bichel were left fighting for the last fast bowler's spot when Jason Gillespie was cleared to make his return after missing the last two Tests against Pakistan through injury.

"It was always going to be a tough decision but we just feel that Andy Bichel is bowling better at the moment and deserves his chance," said Waugh.

The captain added, in another surprise move, that although Lee had been officially included in the squad as 12th man, he had been excused from carrying the drinks so he could return home to get some match practice instead.

Waugh said it was decided after a meeting with the Australian Cricket Board that it was a waste of time having their 12th man sitting in the stands when he could be playing a first-class match somewhere else.

Another player, still to be named, will be called in as the substitute fielder, allowing Lee to play for New South Wales against Tasmania in the domestic interstate series.

"We thought it was a little bit unfair as players so we talked to the board about it and we've come to a flexible arrangement where we think if a player needs a good hitout then he's available to play four-day cricket or grade cricket," Waugh said.

CHANGE OF THINKING

"We've always considered the 12 should stay together but times have changed a bit and it necessitates a change of thinking.

"We just thought it was unfair for the guys who were continually not playing cricket."

Lee, 25, burst on to the international scene in 1999 when he captured five wickets on his Test debut.

But he has struggled in the past two years because of problems with his elbow and managed just five wickets at an average of 46 in the recent three-Test series against Pakistan.

"It's the first time he's been dropped so it's a bit of a shock to the system, but I think he recognises he'd like a bit more of a bowl and get a couple of five-wicket hauls behind him," Waugh said.

"He had a major elbow reconstruction only 12 months ago and if you look at all the players who have come back from surgery, (leg spinner) Shane Warne included, it takes at least 12 months to get back to your feet.

"I still think he's going pretty well, his stats aren't that bad and he's great for the side. He just needs a little time away from the Test environment and he'll find his way back."

Waugh said Bichel, 32, forced his way into the team after an impressive performance against Pakistan. Called into the last two Tests after Gillespie was sent home with a calf injury, Bichel seized his opportunity to take eight wickets at an average of 13.

"He thoroughly deserves it. He's played very good cricket in the last two Tests and deserves his chance," Waugh said.

"I think he'd found a bit of pace and a bit more belief in himself. He just feels comfortable at this level now, it's an environment where he can express himself and he feels good about it.

"He's just developed as a cricketer and he keeps improving even though he's got a bit of age about him."

Mail Cricket Editor