Cricket: Lee guns for Aussie recall

Brett Lee. Photo / Getty Images

Fast bowler Brett Lee is using his time with the Wellington Firebirds to re-ignite his international cricket career.

Wellington signed Lee for New Zealand's domestic Twenty20 tournament this summer, replacing England allrounder Luke Wright as Wellington's overseas player for next month's HRV Cup.

Lee, who pulled out of test cricket and last played in a five-dayer two years ago, confirmed his availability for five of Wellington's 10 matches, in between his commitments for New South Wales in state cricket.

"I want to continue playing one-day and Twenty20 internationals for Australia, and to play in my second World Cup next year," Lee told the Herald On Sunday.

"I don't play Sheffield Shield cricket any more and New South Wales are not playing much limited overs cricket in December, so Wellington's offer was perfect timing from my point of view.

"It's giving me the opportunity to test myself in different conditions and to play more matches instead of being on the sidelines in Australia.

"New Zealand pitches are more bowler-friendly and the grounds are smaller than they are in Australia, so if I can take some wickets, smash a few sixes and help the team win all five games, that's what it's all about.

"More importantly, it's about the whole Wellington team playing as a unit and winning games."

At the forefront of Australia's much-vaunted pace bowling attack for the best part of a decade, Lee, 33, has suffered persistent injury problems which have denied him any limited overs international cricket for more than a year.

The blond speedster has a respectable test record of 310 wickets at 30.81 in 76 matches, but his one-day and Twenty20 record puts him in the top drawer of the finest exponents of the art of fast bowling in the shorter forms of the game.

Lee's 324 one-day international wickets have cost just a shade over 23 apiece and he's also the proud owner of 17 Twenty20 victims in as many matches for the equally healthy average of 26.70.

Looking ahead to his cameo with Wellington, Lee is planning to bring his A-game to New Zealand with no regrets on turning his back on the test arena.

"I've been lucky enough to play 76 test matches over a decade but test cricket is very taxing on the body and it's time for me to move on," Lee said. "If Australia's selectors asked me to make a test comeback, my answer would be 'no'.

"I'm at the stage of my life where I had to make a lifestyle and career choice about the future, so I had to draw the line somewhere.

"I could have played test cricket for another two years - I'm the fittest I've ever been and I've worked my backside off to play the shorter forms of the game instead."

Lee is jetting off to India next week for a 10-day whistle-stop tour of the subcontinent to introduce his rock band White Shoe Theory.