Brett Lee returned to international cricket for Australia against Pakistan at Sophia Gardens today in a secretive operation that would have made the CIA proud.

Australian captain Steve Waugh handed Pakistan's Waqar Younis the official team sheet as they walked out for the toss and Younis's eyes would have widened when he saw the name listed at No.10 - B Lee.

Setting up an all-pace showdown, Pakistan had already selected the Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar, to replace injured former captain Wasim Akram (shoulder).

The ground was abuzz when the teams were announced over the loud speaker, and even the blowing of trumpets by the many Pakistanis in the crowd stopped, albeit briefly.

Lee had not played since undergoing an elbow reconstruction in February following a limited overs match against Zimbabwe in Perth, and he was in England as a Test-squad member only.

The plan was for the fastest bowler in the world to train with the Australians for the next few weeks, gradually building pace and fitness leading into the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on July 5.

But injuries to Jason Gillespie (hamstring), Damien Fleming (calf) and Nathan Bracken (shoulder) forced the Australian selectors - Waugh and vice-captain Adam Gilchrist - to give Lee a run.

They had given no hint, guarding their decision until only 15 minutes before play began.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Brett Lee," said the ground announcer before Lee ambled in with a loosener, timed at 75.3mph.

His second ball hit 80.6 and his third, pitched short at the same pace, was pulled to the mid-wicket fence by Shahid Afridi.

He was above 80mph for the rest of the over - with another boundary flying over slips - about 20mph shy of what he hopes will be top pace during the Ashes.

He eventually took a wicket in his second over, dismissing Afridi, caught brilliantly by Mark Waugh.

© 2001 AAP