BRAD WILLIAMS says he and tearaway Brett Lee can provide the firepower to overcome India's classy batting line-up in the third cricket Test at the MCG, starting on Boxing Day.
Williams arrived in Melbourne yesterday on the same flight as Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist, saying the attack had what it took to level the series.
"I think we will go very well," Williams said. "You know with Brett Lee back in there it only adds to the bowling strength.
"My rhythm feels really good at the moment so I can't wait to get out there. I have got a few friends over here, so hopefully I will have a bit of support."
Lee is returning after an extended break with stomach and ankle injuries and comes back as a direct swap for Jason Gillespie, who injured a groin in the Adelaide second Test.
Williams seems a good chance to keep his spot despite conceding 106 runs in 37 overs without a wicket in Adelaide.
The 29-year-old bowled a couple of impressive spells and vital catches were dropped off his bowling by Ricky Ponting and Gilchrist.
Williams also won the praise of coach John Buchanan for playing on after injuring his shoulder diving to save a boundary.
Intensive treatment through the night enabled him to bat and bowl, but in considerable pain, in the second innings.
"It was nothing a few painkillers didn't fix," Williams said of the AC joint problem.
"It was just one of those things. You are playing for Australia, so you just get through it.
"When you are out in the middle you don't even think about it - you just bowl."
Williams said he would not be affected by the injury come Friday.
"It is 100 per cent now so I am ready to go, I can't wait." he said.
Williams burst on to the State scene in 1994-95 but this will be his first Test appearance at the MCG.
After snaring 70 wickets in 24 matches, he lost his way in Victoria after being dropped from its Pura Cup team and was told to go back to grade cricket and bowl maidens.
However, Williams' aggression was welcomed in WA and he has not looked back since moving to Perth for the 1999-2000 season.
He took 50 wickets in that initial season and found his way into the Australian one-day side for the 2001-02 series, before making his Test debut against Zimbabwe at the SCG in October.
Vice-captain Ricky Ponting admitted the loss in Adelaide was a "kick up the pants" Australia might have needed.
"I think we've learnt from it," he said. "We were probably a little bit aggressive and tried to set up the game a little too quickly in the second innings with our batting and it backfired on us.
"We learnt some points out of that. If we had batted for one more session, things would've been a lot different."
Ponting looked forward to Lee's return on a lively MCG wicket.
"If we can get him back to his best, someone like him you would have in any side, just for the fact he can run in and stick it up batsmen," he said. "And, at the same time, he can blast batsmen out as well."
- DAVID REED