Lee plays down workload concerns

Brett Lee is keen to play as much as possible despite concerns over his workload which has increased with Stuart MacGill out of form (and now retired) and Mitchell Johnson struggling against West Indies. His captain Ricky Ponting said Lee, who has far outbowled his colleagues in the Caribbean, was "completely spent" as the second Test in Antigua headed towards a draw, but Lee remembers all too well being "fed up" when 12th man for Australia in a sustained period before the 2005 Ashes.

Now he wants to maximise his appearances while excelling as Australia's leading bowler since Glenn McGrath's retirement in 2007, despite his own admission of tiredness after the Antigua Test. A four-day break with his family has helped and now he is looking forward to the third Test in Barbados which begins on Thursday.

"I've always said I would love to play every single game for Australia," Lee told the Sydney Morning Herald. "I hate being away. I think it's because of my background and my history as well. I had 18 months where I carried the drinks and I got so fed up with being 12th man. I was so frustrated and I wanted to be out there playing."

But he did acknowledge the worries from his captain and team-mates: "You have to be aware of what's going on," he said. "You have to be smart about it. I'm just trying to keep my body as fresh as I possibly can."

Ponting has admitted that, despite Lee's prowess, he will have to call on the second-string options of Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds to spread the load.

Shaun Tait, meanwhile, is on hand to answer any SOS call if Australia need his fast bowling to help Lee out with his burden. Tait, who took a break from the game because of mental exhaustion, is only planning a comeback next season, but would jump to help Australia.

"If they called me tomorrow and said be ready in three weeks, I'd do it," Tait told the Australian. "I don't know what frame of mind the selectors are in. I know I can't waltz back into an Australian cap but I am keen to get back. I am definitely coming back to play, it is a matter of when."

It is much more likely, however, that Ashley Noffke and Doug Bollinger - who are already in West Indies on fast-bowling standby - would get the opportunity first.

It is understood that Brad Haddin is confident of playing on Thursday, despite Luke Ronchi flying out to cover for his broken finger. Haddin fractured his right ring finger in the early exchanges of the first Test and has played on since. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that he aims to participate in the third Test.