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Warne, Lee back

Champion leg-spinner Shane Warne returns from injury and express bowler Brett Lee returns to his favourite ground when world one-day champions Australia clash with India in a tri-nations series match in Perth on Sunday.

The Warne-Lee combination, not to mention the threat posed by pace pair Glenn McGrath and Damien Fleming, looms as a huge challenge for a down-at-heel Indian team ravenous for another morsel of success before the curtain falls on their Australian tour at the end of this match.

In terms of the competition, this is no more than an exhibition workout, with Australia and Pakistan now established as combatants in the best-of-three finals starting in Melbourne on Wednesday. But, as Warne warned on Saturday night, there is no such thing as a "dead rubber" for the Australians.

"Over the past 18 months or so, we have developed such a pride in our performance, everyone wants to give 100 per cent in every match -- whether one-dayers or Tests," the vice-captain said.

Out of action for three weeks with a strained right side, Warne said he is now fit and ready for a comeback.

"My side has come along well," he said. "I have had some good treatment -- some pretty painful treatment, with deep frictions."

Warne has a haul of 212 wickets in one-day internationals at a marvellouus average of just over 24 runs apiece.

Interestingly, his record against India is his worst -- 10 scalps at a costly 56.5 each. He has yet to bowl against them in this series.

"If I was to pick a game to come back, this is perhaps the worst," Warne said. "Against India and in Perth." (which has been a meagre hunting ground for the 30-year-old wizard)

But, while the WACA ground has provided Warne with sparse pickings, its fast, bouncy pitches are tailor-made for the lightning pace of Brett Lee.

The blond bombshell from New South Wales, younger brother of Australian one-day all-rounder Shane Lee, generated a frightening pace when he played for his state against Western Australia in a Sheffield Shield game on the ground in December. His performance moved Australian captain Steve Waugh to declare Lee the fastest bowler in the world. The next day he was chosen for his international debut and in two Tests against India he snapped up 13 wickets.

Commentators repeatedly suggest Lee, 23, may become the first bowler in the world to be recorded delivering the ball at 100 mph (161 kph). Some even suggest he may have topped that figure during the December Shield encounter. Speed guns were not in use that day. But they will be in action Sunday and no-one would be surprised if he achieves the magic figure.

Lee reached 95.9 mph (154.5 kph) with a ball in Melbourne last Sunday, the fastest delivery recorded in Australia this summer. Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar sent the needle to 95.8 mph (154.3 kph) in Hobart in November.

Asked about the chances of cracking 100mph in the near future, Lee said: "Who knows what might happen? I am not trying to bowl that fast. I am just trying to hit a good line and length. If I was to get the 161 kph, so be it. It would be nice to reach it one day, but not right now.

"I just want to get some wickets. I think that is much more important."

Speaking of his fearsome pace in the Shield match, he said: "I had a big breeze behind me, there was a nice bouncy wicket and your eyes light up when you see the ball flying through to the 'keeper. That makes you put an extra bit of effort in."

Teams from:
Australia: Steve Waugh (capt), Shane Warne (vice-captain), Adam Gilchrist, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Shane Lee, Michael Bevan, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Damien Fleming, Ian Harvey, Andrew Symonds (to be finalised).

India: Sachin Tendulkar (capt), Saurav Ganguly (vice-capt), Rahul Dravid, Vangipurappu Laxman, Robin Singh, Samir Dighe, Jacon Martin, Ajit Agarkar, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Nikhil Chopra, Hrishikesh Kanitkar (to be finalised).