Lee says he's ready for cricket again

BRISBANE - Brett Lee has declared himself ready to bowl for Australia again after surviving a steamy workout here ahead of tomorrow's tri series match against the West Indies.

The explosive paceman still has to wake up without any problems tomorrow before he can play his first match in six weeks after battling bone stress in his lower back.

Australian selectors are expected to name Lee, pending a final check in the morning, as the home team prepares to work the Windies over again in the third match of the triangular series.

"I'm ready to play so it's now up to whether I get chosen," Lee said.

"I feel great. I had two or three overs to warm up today and then I bowled five overs flat out. The ball came out pretty well so I'm very happy with that.

"I'll see how the body pulls up this afternoon and I give myself every opportunity to play."

Lee said he had not spoken with selectors, who have been guided by Australian team medical staff as the right-armer makes a cautious return to cricket.

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns watched Lee bowl off a solid run in the nets today as temperatures soared to uncomfortable heights in Brisbane.

Lee hasn't bowled competitively since taking three wickets in one over to seal Australia's easy win over the Windies in the second Test in Perth on December 4.

The 24-year-old will bowl a maximum of 10 overs tomorrow but he insisted his back could stand up to the demands of a first-class match.

"I've been bowling the last three or four days at pretty good pace and pulled up pretty well," Lee said.

"I was a bit stiff initially, mainly in the hamstrings, but that's understandable because I haven't bowled for six weeks."

Australian selectors must leave two players out of their 13-man squad tomorrow after Lee and batsman Darren Lehmann were rested from the opening win over the Windies in Melbourne two days ago.

Lehmann could miss out again tomorrow and Victorian all-rounder Ian Harvey could also make way if Lee returns.

That would leave Australia with a frontline bowling attack of Lee, Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Nathan Bracken while all-rounder Andrew Symonds would also be called upon after taking four wickets in Melbourne.

Australia hasn't played a one-day match at the Gabba since losing to Pakistan by 45 runs last January. It remains the only match Australia has lost during its past two home summers.

Australia's other combatant in the triangular series - Zimbabwe - has trimmed its squad after last night's humiliating 216-run loss to Australia A.

Paceman Henry Olonga has been sent home after Zimbabwe cut its squad to 15 players, including experienced all-rounder Grant Flower, who faces another week on the sidelines recovering from a fractured right index finger.