Lee ready for Test recall

Brett Lee has declared that he is fit for a Test recall, after bowling 10 overs for New South Wales against Victoria in an ING Cup match. Lee bowled for the first time in six weeks after resuming from an abdominal tear and clean-up surgery to his left ankle, and said he was available for the second Test against India in Adelaide, starting Friday.

Lee said, "I'll keep my fingers crossed, I think I'm definitely ready to play, I knew that if I was to get through these 10 overs and do it well I'm certainly thinking I'm ready to play."

While Glenn McGrath is struggling to overcome his own ankle surgery, Lee made good progress in the match which ended in a thrilling tie. Lee nearly had a wicket in his very first ball but the umpire turned down a huge lbw appeal.

Lee added, "I felt really fit out there, I thought the ball came out at good speed and I was really impressed. The first ball of the match, I thought this was too good to be true - but the umpire didn't give it out unfortunately, he said it was sliding down [the leg side], but that happens - but I was really pleased the way the ball came out."

Mark Waugh, who captained NSW for the first time, also felt that Lee was ready to resume at Test level. Waugh said, "We know what sort of bowler he is, he's a matchwinning bowler so yeah I would [play him].It was pretty good first-up, there wasn't much in the wicket for him, so I thought he bowled well."

Lee will play in the Pura Cup match against Victoria at the MCG starting Friday if not selected for the second Test.