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Lee looking for county contract

Brett Lee is hoping to spend some time in England playing county cricket in an attempt to force his way back into the Australian squad for the tour to India in October

Wisden Cricinfo staff
09-Jul-2004


Brett Lee is hoping to begin his comeback with some county cricket in England © Getty Images
Brett Lee is hoping to spend some time in England playing county cricket in an attempt to force his way back into the Australian squad for the tour to India in October.
Lee, 27, who has been out of action since sustaining an ankle injury in Sri Lanka in March, faces a tough battle to get back into the team, following the resurgence of Michael Kasprowicz, his replacement in the Test team. Kasprowicz took 12 wickets in the 3-0 win in Sri Lanka four months ago, and led Australia to an emphatic victory in the first Test at Darwin, taking 7 for 39 in Sri Lanka's second innings.
Lee recently underwent ankle surgery, but rejoined the Australian squad prior to the Test at Cairns for a net practice. He is also due to spend some time working with Dennis Lillee.
"He's going to do some work with Dennis Lillee in 10 days' time in Brisbane, he's having a bowl with the Australian team in Cairns and hopefully he will be able to play a few county matches as well," said Neil Maxwell, Lee's manager. "The selectors are playing tough but he's pretty relaxed," he added. "The focus is India and it will be interesting to see if he can do that because his recovery is going well and he's got a wider range of movement in the ankle than ever."
Allan Border, a selector and a former captain of Australia, has said that Lee will have a tough job getting back into the team, and will have to prove himself. "Brett will have to bide his time. Kasper's in the side and is the incumbent and he is doing a great job," said Border. "That makes it difficult to get in."
The details of Lee's county placement have not yet been finalised.