THE summer has been mostly forgettable for Brett Lee but Australia is hopeful his supercharged spell four days ago might scare India ahead of todays first tri-series cricket final at the MCG.
Lees sizzling 3/22 at the WACA on Sunday was the first time an Australian bowler had dominated the Indian batsmen this series and if Australia wants to maintain its stranglehold over India in one-day finals, Lees contribution might be pivotal.
The softer MCG pitch will suit Indias batsmen far more than the WACA strip did but Australian captain Ricky Ponting was hopeful Lee, Jason Gillespie, Brad Williams and Michael Kasprowicz can make life tough for Indias bats.
“Hopefully we can repeat what we did in Perth,” Ponting said, after his team bowled out India out for 203 on Sunday.
“Hopefully he's (Lee) created a few scars there from the way he bowled the other day and hopefully we can carry that on and bring that on into this series.
“We know if we bowl well and execute our plans well and hold on to our catches were going to be very competitive this final series.”
Even if the bowlers stray a little, Australia can fall back on its imperious record in one-day finals against India, which includes two victories in tournament deciders in the past year.
Australia thrashed India in the World Cup final in March and struck a convincing win in the tri-series decider in Calcutta in November.
Ahead of this best-of-three series, Australia has a 7-1 one-day final record against India, the sole defeat courtesy of a big Sachin Tendulkar hundred in Sharjah in 1997-98.
Ponting believes Australia can exploit its head-to-head record over India.
“Ill guarantee the Indians will be thinking about that and theyve probably got every right to,” he said.
“You look back at our record against India over the last few years and its very, very good - not only in big games but in most games of cricket weve played against them.”
India was also on the front foot yesterday, with captain Sourav Ganguly shrugging off suggestions Indias batting was starting to crack.
Ganguly conceded India had discussed its losses to Australia in finals but was determined to use it as a spur to motivate his team.
“Its a new game and Ive always believed you are one evening away from greatness - thats the way Ive looked at cricket,” he said.
“You never know when somebody stands up and delivers and thats the way this game goes.”
Both teams will be finalised today.