Lee's Second Test chances improve

TAUNTON, England - Brett Lee's chances of being available for the second Ashes Test at Lord's improved out of sight today when he bowled twice in the nets at the County Ground without discomfort.

Lee, recovering from inflamed tissue at the base of his rib cage, bowled about 40 balls off a short run before play on the final day of Australia's match against Somerset, won by the tourists by 176 runs.

That was supposed to be the extent of his work ahead of a more intensive session at Lord's tomorrow, but team physiotherapist Errol Alcott was encouraged enough to give him another workout after stumps.

Lee used a longer run and bowled sharply to Australian captain Steve Waugh, who was having his first hit after spending the last week in London with his wife, Lynette, and two young children.

"We checked him out after a light session this morning and Binger [Lee] felt fine with no ill effects," said Alcott.

"He felt so good, and we were so confident, that we gave him another session in the afternoon, and he bowled another six overs.

"We're pretty happy with his progress - we've just been progressing his rehabilitation one step at a time and he's gone through each stage culminating in today with his bowling."

Lee's improved physical state is only stage one of him gaining selection for the Lord's Test starting on Thursday.

Provided he gets through tomorrow's session, starting at 9am (6pm AEST), without any physical problem, he then has to earn a place ahead of Victorian swing and seam merchant Damien Fleming.

Fleming was named man of the match for his eight-wicket haul against Somerset, and Lord's - where Bob Massie swung the ball incredible lengths to take 16 wickets in the second Test in 1972 - would be right up his alley.

"If it comes, it comes," said Fleming.

"If it doesn't, it doesn't.

"It was obviously a dream to get on this tour as a swing bowler and if I can snaffle a Test match, it would be fantastic."

Stand-in Australian captain Ricky Ponting said Fleming had given the selection panel of Waugh, Adam Gilchrist and Trevor Hohns food for thought.

"It was good to see Flemmo get the wickets that he got," he said.

"He bowled beautifully on a very tough wicket - there wasn't much movement, or any movement at all, off the wicket.

"It did swing a little bit, but Flem got most of his wickets with the old ball so that meant he was building up enough pressure and putting the ball in the right areas enough times."

Lee wanted to play against Somerset but Alcott, mindful of Lee's long and sorry history with injuries, urged caution and told him to withdraw.

"I think we'll probably wait as long as we can with Brett to make sure that he is right," said Ponting.

"He was very close to playing this game so I imagine he'll be fit for the game on Thursday."

Meanwhile, Michael Slater (wrist) is all but certain to be fit for the Test but Matthew Hayden (knee) looked a little ginger while having a run with fitness coach Jock Campbell at Taunton.

Hayden's knee locked in the field on Friday and the fluid under the knee cap jeopardises his ability to play with confidence off the front foot. Both openers will be monitored closely at training.