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InDepth headlines national business sports cricket regional entertainment technology world travel autos health | in-depth coverage > Ashes Series 2002-2003 > Lee in, Bichel out for third Ashes Test at Perth 11.51 IST 28th Nov 2002 By IndiaExpress Bureau Fast bowler Brett Lee has been brought back into the Australian side for the third Ashes cricket Test against England starting in Perth on Friday in a bid to wrap up the series for the home side. Lee, 26, one of the world's fastest bowlers, will replace Andy Bichel, who played in Australia's first two victorious Tests in Brisbane and Adelaide. "We have made this move because we think this is the way we can win this Test match," captain Steve Waugh said in Perth on Thursday. The WACA Ground pitch is considered one of the fastest in the world, and Lee has an outstanding record here. "The idea is simply that we have gone for extra pace. It came down to who was going to be quicker -- and Brett got the nod," Waugh said. "It was a difficult decision. Andy was disappointed, but he understood the reason." Waugh said Lee, who was dropped from the team at the start of the Ashes series after a poor performance against Pakistan, had regained the form that made him one of the world's most exciting bowlers with a stint back in interstate ranks. "The move has worked out well for him... Brett comes back a tougher cricketer. He knows that to be in the Australian side he has to carry on taking wickets," Waugh said. "I don't think the England players will be comfortable about Brett coming back." Waugh said batsmen would need to show courage on the fast pitch at the revamped riverside ground. "There will be injuries," he predicted. In the Sheffield Shield competition playing for New South Wales, Lee captured 21 wickets in two matches against Tasmania and South Australia. His selection guarantees England's batsmen will be peppered with a barrage of short-pitched balls. However Lee's selection is a bitter blow for Bichel, who must be rated Australia's unluckiest player. He provided steady support for ace pacemen Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie in the first two Tests, picking up five wickets and playing an especially valuable role in the Adelaide game. His dismissal of England opener Michael Vaughan, who made 177, with the last ball of the opening day, opened up the England first innings and set it up to falter dramatically on the second day. He also struck a vital blow on the third day when he ousted England captain Nasser Hussain with the final ball of the day, helping to guide Australia to an innings win. Bichel is also a useful low-order batsman, good enough to hit 48 in Australia's only Adelaide innings. Waugh confirmed that prolific opening batsman Matthew Hayden, recovering from surgery for hemorrhoids, would play. Australian team: Steve Waugh (Capt.), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Andy Bichel (12th man). The England team was to be finalized after selectors assessed the condition of injured players. in-depth coverage > Ashes Series 2002-2003 > |
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