BRETT LEE may stand to benefit the most from Michael Kasprowicz's horror over on Sunday night but he believes his fellow speedster doesn't deserve to be blamed for Australia's loss to New Zealand at Telstra Dome in Melbourne.
Kasprowicz was the talk of the country yesterday after conceding 22 runs in the third last over of the night to put the Kiwis in a winning position in the first game of the three-match Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series.
It is highly unlikely that one bad over will count against the Queensland quick in the eyes of the selectors but the competition for places is so intense and the margin for error so small that any slip-up could prove costly when the team is chosen for next week's Test against Pakistan in Perth.
"You can't blame Kasper," Lee said yesterday.
"We've all been through that and there's just that particular over that these things happen in one-day cricket. The whole team has been through that previously and we know Kasper's a great bowler and he'll come back from that."
The conspiracy theorists were out in force yesterday after Kasprowicz was rotated for tomorrow night's second match at the SCG. But Lee said all fast bowlers were aware of the ACB's policy before game one. "I think the rotational system was in prior to that game last night," Lee said.
"I think they had the whole thing planned out -- so Kasper will be feeling a bit down but look, he's had a great series so far with the Test series and his confidence should still be sky high because he's a great guy, he's a great bowler and he's done a great job.
"So he'll definitely come back from that."
The match also marked Lee's return after a long stint away from the national team and the NSW quick could not have been more impressive with his haul of 2-40 from eight overs.
He grabbed the prize wicket of Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming with only his second ball of the game and returned to remove the big-hitting Chris Cairns late in the innings.
"I just wanted to try and land the first couple and it was great to be out playing for Australia again," Lee said.
"I've worked really hard to get back in the colours of green and gold so I was really happy to be out there and take the brand new ball too.
"It was a great honour and I did a pretty good job last night and hopefully if I can do well on Wednesday night my most important aim is to get back into the Test team right now."
Lee has been carrying the drinks for the Test team this summer but if he can maintain the form he showed on Sunday night, it will be hard for selectors to go past him for the bouncy WACA wicket.
- STUART HONEYSETT