Lee calls for end to rotation

Brett Lee has joined the queue calling for Australia's controversial one-day rotation policy to be dumped, even though it helped launch him back into international colours. Lee, who played in all of Australia's VB Series games while his bowling team-mates were alternatively rested, said the fast men should look after themselves well enough to play every game.

"The rotation policy has definitely got to go," Lee said. "If we are managed correctly and doing our warm-downs and stretches there is no reason why a fast bowler cannot play each and every match. It is a long season, but if we are doing the right things then I hope the rotation policy won't be needed any longer." Lee has missed Australia's past nine Tests, but used his one-day playing time to strengthen claims for a return to whites in New Zealand.

However, Jason Gillespie, who was rested, said rotation should stay as it had "bugger all" effect on a player's form, and people had been blaming it too much. "There has been a lot of talk about whether it's been positive or negative," he said. "If a guy needs a rest, he needs a rest. People have got to remember we just won a VB Series, and guys who were rested came back refreshed and played well."

Allan Border, one of Australia's selectors, said this week that the system was "dead and buried", but Trevor Hohns, the chairman, holds on to the idea, which is his four-year-old baby. Border felt it was a factor in Matthew Hayden's disrupted summer, which ending in him being dropped, and Lee agreed.

"Matthew Hayden took the opportunity to have a rest and it didn't work in his favour," said Lee. "We have always got to play our best XI, and I think that is going to happen now."