BRETT Lee is set for a Boxing Day return to Test cricket but Glenn McGrath's hopes of taking part in the Steve Waugh farewell tour remain cloudy as a stunned Australia prepare to again revamp their slumping attack.
In desperate need of an adrenalin boost, the inclusion of pace torpedo Lee for the third Test against India could not come quickly enough for an Australian side struggling without long-time match-winners Shane Warne and McGrath.
Lee's hopes of a Test call-up this Friday were heightened yesterday when he completed a successful return to first-class cricket after having ankle surgery.
He bowled with terrific pace and aggression against Victoria but could not stop the Blues from avoiding a two-wicket loss to the Bushrangers at the MCG.
"I have always enjoyed playing against India," Lee said.
"When you are playing against three of the top-10 world batsmen, Tendulkar, Dravid and Laxman, as a player you always tend to lift a bit.
"If I get the chance in Melbourne on Boxing Day, it will be a pretty special thing."
Lee's match figures of 4-152 from 44 overs may not have been overly flattering but his grunt has been missed by a suddenly tame and vulnerable Australian attack.
In Brisbane last week, an attack of Jason Gillespie, Nathan Bracken, Andy Bichel and Stuart MacGill conceded 400 runs for the first time in a first innings in a series opener against a visiting team for the first time in a decade.
In Adelaide, the inclusion of Williams in place of Bracken failed to stop the flood of Indian runs as the tourists amassed a first innings response of 523 and are now on the verge of a dramatic victory.
Lee is almost certain to be included for the third Test, with fellow quick Brad Williams unlikely to be available for the rest of the series after damaging his shoulder while diving to stop a boundary on Sunday.
Selection chairman Trevor Hohns last night said he had taken note of Lee's comeback.
"From all reports Brett bowled quite well," Hohns said.
"The most important thing was to get some mileage under his belt. He is fit and raring to go."
The national selectors will name the squad for the Melbourne Test on Friday, the same day as Lee and NSW take on Tasmania in a Pura Cup match in Sydney.
While Lee has much to look forward to, the immediate future of McGrath remains cloudy.
The veteran quick bowled six overs in his local nets in Sydney on Sunday and yesterday visited his specialist to check on his troublesome left ankle.
The pace spearhead has not played this summer and had been scheduled to make his return to first-class cricket against Victoria.
But unexpected swelling forced him to pull out of that game, postponing his return date to this Friday's encounter with Tasmania.
But even this week's return date is now doubtful.
While it seems highly unlikely he will appear on Boxing Day, McGrath could still force his way back in time for the series finale in Sydney.
At 33, the lanky quick has endured one of the most frustrating years of his glittering career.
Through a combination of injuries and family illness, he has played in just four of Australia's 11 Tests this year, claiming eight wickets at 35.25.
- JON PIERIK