Andy Bichel finally grabbed the third-seamer's spot as Brett Lee was omitted from the Australian team for the first Test against England which starts at Brisbane on Thursday. In a move aimed at giving Lee more match-practice, the selectors released him to play for New South Wales against Tasmania in a Pura Cup game which starts on Friday. Lee had played Australia's last 17 Tests, and before this setback, his international career had only been interrupted by an elbow injury early last year. He started his Test career spectacularly, taking 42 wickets in his first seven matches, but went off the boil a bit lately, taking just five wickets in the three-Test series against Pakistan. By contrast, Bichel grabbed eight scalps at 13.25.

Steve Waugh indicated though that Lee hadn't been bowling badly. "I still thinks he's going pretty well. His stats aren't that bad, he's good for the side. He's not far off and he just needs more of a bowl and a bit of confidence."

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