Brett Lee: Water anybody?

[Beny]

Brett Lee will not be allowed to play for New South Wales in their Pura Cup match against Tasmania that starts at Sydney this Thursday, even though it seems unlikely that he will make the starting XI for Australia in the first Test against Pakistan that starts the same day at Perth. Officials at New South Wales were willing to set back the start of the game to accommodate him, but their suggestion was turned down by the Australian Board. Dave Gilbert, NSW's chief executive of New South Wales, spoke to the The Sydney Morning Herald. "Sod's Law says that Australia could get to Sydney with the series one-all, there'll be an injury and Brett will have to play without a decent run under his belt," he said. "I thought that where there was a will there would be a way, but unfortunately we've been rejected. I just feel that we in cricket are all in the entertainment industry, but sometimes we take ourselves a bit seriously. Apart from his lack of cricket, Brett is pure box office." Under current regulations, Lee would not be able to bat or bowl if he started the Pura Cup game as a substitute on the second day. Michael Brown, operations manager of Cricket Australia, indicated yesterday that it is not clear that Lee would be 12th man at Perth, and that any discussion on the law change required on the substitutes' issue would occur at the end of the summer. "You'd be putting a match back a day in the hope that he might be available," he said. "That would set a bit of a precedent."

What a waste... A once in a generation fast bowler and He's carrying the water. Surely they could at least let him play state cricket whenever possible.

There was a call for the rule stating that somebody else could fill his 12th man duties on the first day of the Test, allowing him to play for N.S.W.

[imaginarydiva]

I'd give anything to watch atleast one match featuring Tasmania.Thats one of the biggest goals in my life.

[Shaka]

To be honest I'm quite glad that he's not playing in the Perth test. I know he's not been bowling all that well butI think the WACA might have brought the best out of him.

[Zainub]

With you on this Beny, all the way, it's ridicolous that's he not playing for NSW. Really is pointless.

[flanflinger]

Intresting in the UK, an England twelth man can go back to County Cricket (even a day into the game) and replace one ofthe players, so this leads to some weird situations. In one game James Kirtley was sent back to his county, and ended up replacing an all-rounder who had just completed his hundred.

[Beny]

Latest news on the grape vine is that Ponting met with David Boon (selector) and did what tasmanians do .Word is that Australia may go with a 4 man pace attack for the first time in ages.

[Zainub]

Originally Posted by Beny

Latest news on the grape vine is that Ponting met with David Boon (selector) and did what tasmanians do .Word is that Australia may go with a 4 man pace attack for the first time in ages.

I read that news too, I hope he changes his mind, I hope Kasper plays.

[Beny]

No Zanuib, Kaspa would play. Aus usualy play a three man pace attack plus Warne. What Their suggesting is playing 4 fast bowlers either at the exspense of Warne or a batsmen, most likely a batsmen.

[Beny]

Lee has been favourite all week to carry the drinks for the first Test against Pakistan today, but the matter was sent back to the national selectors yesterday when Ponting floated the idea of playing Lee as part of a four-man pace attack and dropping a batsman, either Darren Lehmann or Michael Clarke.

But Lee bowled with ferocious intensity in the nets on Tuesday to strike Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist on the hands and remind his teammates of his potential on Australia's bounciest wicket. There were also suggestions an extra fast bowler could share the workload in an attack that is facing the heavy burden of three Tests in little more than three weeks. "He's right in the mix to play the game," Ponting said of Lee yesterday. "It was pretty well documented yesterday how hard and fast he bowled in the nets yesterday afternoon. "Matty Hayden has a sore thumb to prove that. "It would be nice if we could have that showdown that everyone is looking at, the Pakistani fast bowlers against all of our fast bowlers and how each batting side is going to react to that. "His pace is certainly as good as I've ever seen it."

I really hope the selectors go with him.

[imaginarydiva]

You need to keep hoping a little longer.I just dont understand why Lee wasnt taken on a pitch that would really suit him.