brett lee

Born: 08.11.1976
State: New South Wales
Tests: 59
Role: Bowler
Bat: Right-hand
Bowl: Right-arm fast
Bat Average: 21.11
Bowl Average: 31.60

After starting the last Ashes tour outside the first XI, Brett Lee ended it second only to Shane Warne as Australia's key performer.

Twenty wickets at more than 40 runs apiece are an unflattering return for a bowler who ran in tirelessly throughout the series and, in tandem with Warne with the ball and Michael Kasprowicz with the bat, came desperately close to pulling off two unlikely Test wins at Trent Bridge and Edgbaston.

Now approaching 30, Lee rarely threatens the 100mph barrier as he did in his younger days, but is still capable of searingly fast spells, especially against nervous tailenders.

He is determined to get his average below 30 before the close of his career, and there is every reason to think he will do it. Lee also has a great chance of passing 300 Test wickets before his career comes to an end, and this would be a fine return for a cricketer who was close to being written off as all style and no substance 18 months ago.

His Ashes exploits last year ensure that reputation has gone. In fact, it was his batting at Edgbaston that earned the most plaudits, notably from Andrew Flintoff.

Lee was left unbeaten on 43 as Australia fell three runs short of one of the unlikeliest Test wins ever, and the photo of Flintoff consoling the Australian at the end of the game will be one of the defining sporting images for years to come.

Lee and Kasprowicz formed another late-order alliance to seal a nailbiting win over South Africa to ease the pain of the earlier near-miss.

While Kasprowicz is likely to be a peripheral figure in this series, Lee will likely share the new ball with Glenn McGrath.

He has taken on the role of attack leader in recent times, and it's a task he appears to be relishing.

His unstinting efforts made him one of the most popular of the touring Australians in England last summer, and the perpetually-smiling New South Welshman will no doubt be hoping he is the one consoling Flintoff this time round.