At right length, Lee’s formidable, says Gillespie

SYDNEY - Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie feels that Brett Lee can become a formidable force against England in the Ashes series if he can get his length right.

“The key to Brett’s success is the length he bowls. When he gets his length right he is one of the toughest propositions to face in world cricket but when he misses his length, as has been shown, he can go a little bit,” Gillespie was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.

Despite his faith in Lee, Gillespie doubted whether his former teammate will get a chance to play in the first Test in Cardiff.

“The guys who are in there at the moment have done a sterling job, and I think Brett is going to have to work very hard and take some wickets in the tour games. I’m not saying Brett shouldn’t be given the new ball - because when he’s fit and firing, he is a potent weapon. But I think we’ll have a much better idea after these tour games,” he said.

“He (Lee) will bowl his heart out for his country as he has always done, he’s been awesome, and the number of wickets he has taken in all forms of the game are a testament to his skill and desire,” Gillespie said.

“But the biggest dilemma for the selectors is going to be the bowling line-up, and I still don’t think they know what they’re going to do, whether they give the guys from South Africa a run or bring back the older boys who have had a lay-off.”

Gillespie said that Lee can be a danger to teammates and opponents alike when fighting for his career.

“I remember when Brett had spent 18 months as 12th man, and ‘Kasper’ (Michael Kasprowicz) and Glenn (McGrath) and myself were the quicks and none of us were game to get in the nets against him because he was just bowling so fast, we were a bit scared,” he said.

“As mates, we knew that Brett was desperate to play and was working his butt off and I honestly believe that turned his career around,” Gillespie recalled.

“He became a much better bowler because it gave him an opportunity to work on his game and things he needed to do better, and his record shows that since he came back into the Test side he improved out of sight,” he said.