Waugh wants Lee to maintain pace in Ashes

BRISBANE - Australian captain Steve Waugh will tell Brett Lee to send down his quickest deliveries against England at the Gabba on Thursday if the fast bowler retains his place in the bowling attack.

Lee and Queenslander Andrew Bichel will fight for the last bowling spot if paceman Jason Gillespie proves his fitness with a searching workout in the Gabba nets today.

Gillespie expects his injured calf muscle to be ready for the Ashes series opener after bowling 10 overs for South Australia against NSW in a one-day match on Saturday.

Selectors will have the final say on 12th man duties, weighing up Lee's modest record in the last two seasons against Bichel's hometown experience and his impressive recent statistics.

But Lee, who has averaged 38.55 in his 17 Tests since elbow surgery, should not foresake his pace as he tries to improve his control according to Waugh.

"Brett is a quick bowler and that's what he does best and what he should do," Waugh said.

"He's naturally quick and when he bowls quick, bowls well, he bowls a good line. I've always encouraged him to be himself and that's be a quick bowler."

"It's a tough decision for selectors and you have to get the best from whichever combination you go with.

"Brett is an explosive bowler so he's going to be bowling short spells while Bich has been used in longer spells.

"But I'm not going to get into who is a better bowler or who is best suited."

The Australians will train for the first time at the Gabba today, with Gillespie expected to complete only a light session before tomorrow's demanding workout.

The South Australian has been dogged by bad luck in previous seasons and he has played only one Test at the Gabba, taking three wickets against New Zealand last summer.

He was a last-minute withdrawal against the West Indies two years ago, enabling Bichel to play in front of his home crowd for the first time.

Waugh said Bichel was now a more complete bowler, picking up "a yard of pace" since last season.

England continues its preparations with the final day of its three-day tour match against Queensland at Allan Border Field.

The tourists will resume at 1-106 in their first innings in reply to Queensland's total of 582.