BRETT LEE is set for a Boxing Day return to Test cricket but Glenn McGrath's hopes of taking part in the series 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 can not come quickly enough for an Australian side struggling without long-time match-winners Shane Warne and McGrath.
Today, Lee's replacement Brad Williams faces a day of agony as he attempts to carry an aching non-bowling shoulder through Australia's desperate bid for a second Test victory.
Williams will bowl with the shoulder injury he sustained fielding on Sunday as Australia defend the modest target set for India.
Williams strained his AC joint diving to save a boundary during India's first innings, sidelining him with his arm in a sling. The grade one strain suggested he was unlikely to take any further part in the match and perhaps the series, but the determined West Australian both batted and bowled yesterday.
Coach John Buchanan said the "great courage by him to do that" would be needed by the whole Australian team today.
"We mark that down as just great courage and that's the sort of courage we'll definitely see from the total 11 players (today)," Buchanan said.
Lee will be rushed back to bolster the attack after completing a successful return to first-class cricket after ankle surgery yesterday.
He bowled with terrific pace and aggression against Victoria but could not stop the Blues crashing to a two-wicket loss to the Bushrangers at the MCG (see story Page 68).
"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.
"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.
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 fellow pace spearhead 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.
McGrath, 33, has not played this summer and is now not expected back before the Sydney Test.
The brave Williams bowled three overs for 13 runs when the Indians started their second innings late yesterday.
"I think it was a fantastic effort for him to go back on the field - I mean, he's feeling quite a bit of pain," said Buchanan.
Buchanan said Williams had not had any injections for the pain.
"He's had a bit of paracetamol to go out and play but nothing more than that."
Williams was undergoing similar treatment late last night.
"He's given us that extra bowler which'll be handy (today)," Buchanan said.
"He'll be out on the park again on the final day of the Test."
- JON PIERIK