Lee may be called on to lead Australian ODI attack

SYDNEY: Veteran speedster Brett Lee is shaping up as the possible first-choice candidate to lead Australia's pace attack in the upcoming tri-series also featuring India and Sri Lanka.

Lee, 35, is the only pacer who will approach next month's two T20 internationals and tri-series for Australia fully fit and without having endured the workload that comes with Test cricket.

Lee missed the South African one-dayers and T20s late last year because of appendicitis, but on Friday declared himself ready for immediate action.

"I'd love to lead the Australian attack," Lee was quoted as saying by the 'Daily Telegraph'.

"We've got some serious depth now and there are guys doing well in Test cricket, but I just hope I can keep my form I've had the last 12 or 13 years and that my record speaks for itself. I'll go out, try to do the business and be a leader for a few of the younger guys coming through," the veteran of 76 Tests and 205 ODIs said.

While the Test attack finally looks settled, it appears a different story in the shorter forms of the game.

Young speedster James Pattinson is out of the Test series and looks a doubtful starter for the ODI series.

Ryan Harris is back up and running but injury-prone, while Pat Cummins (foot) and Doug Bollinger (hamstring), who felt a fresh twinge while playing with his daughter at home last week, are also racing the clock to return.