AUSTRALIA will be making a grave mistake if it drops Michael Kasprowicz for Brett Lee in the First Test against Pakistan starting at the WACA Ground on Thursday.
That's the view of former Test fast bowlers Terry Alderman, Geoff Lawson and Len Pascoe, who have poured scorn on deafening calls for Lee to be recalled on the fastest pitch in world cricket.
And Pascoe urged Lee to beware the speed trap, believing he would be a better bowler if he cut 5-10km/h off his pace.
Alderman said it would be plain "wrong" to leave out Kasprowicz, who has taken 38 Test wickets at 25.63 this year.
"Michael Kasprowicz has bowled his heart out for Australia," Alderman said.
"It doesn't matter what the pitch looks like and how much bounce it has.
"Unless Australia go in with five specialist batsmen or leave out Shane Warne, which I can't see happening, Lee shouldn't play.
"Kasprowicz did the job against India and New Zealand. The push to play Lee has come from the media but it would be wrong."
Lawson said if not for the fact the match was in Perth, Lee wouldn't be considered.
"Kasprowicz has earned his spot and doesn't deserve to be dropped," Lawson said.
"He has been brought up on something like that (the WACA) in Brisbane so he would probably be suited to those conditions also.
"Brett has to be bowling well. He's been bowling with good rhythm in the one-dayers which is terrific.
"His pace has been good but he hasn't been accurate enough. He's still going for five an over."
Pascoe called on Lee to learn from Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath and Kasprowicz, who all place a greater premium on direction than speed.
"One thing he's got to learn is to attack the off-stump," Pascoe said.
"There's so much talk about biomechanics and other peripheral things, but it's a simple process: attack the off-stump just short of a length.
"It's as simple as that. He needs to calm down a bit. He probably won't bowl his best until he's a little older and a bit of pace is knocked off him.
"He won't feel the need to bowl 150km/h every ball. It will be more about bowling at 140-145 and getting the right line and length."
Pascoe urged Lee to remain upbeat, saying his time on the outer would add to his longevity.
"Brett is like money in the bank because he is staying fit and motivated," Pascoe said.
"What you miss out on now you'll pick up at end of his career.
"If he doesn't play for 12 months now he will play for an extra 12 months at the end of his career. The opportunities will come to him."
Pascoe said the WACA Ground's reputation as a fast bowler's oasis was often a mirage.
"My call is, don't take the gamble because the WACA can be a bit of an illusion," he said.
"It might be quick for a short time but then it could turn into a batting paradise and you will need the workhorses.
"Once the ball softens up on the hard deck, (Lee's) just at the right pace to come on to the bat. It's kind of like batting on a synthetic surface.
"When you've got Gillespie, McGrath and Kasprowicz – they do so much off the seam that rarely do batsmen hit it off the middle.
"The temptation to play Lee is over the top. He will get his chance but he has to be patient."
Among those leading the chorus for Lee's inclusion is former firebrand paceman Rodney Hogg.
"Brett Lee must play. He is the most exciting fast bowler going around and he has to play on the fastest pitch in the world," Hogg said.
"I watched him in the first one-dayer against New Zealand at Telstra Dome (last Sunday) and he was just magnificent. He's fast and exciting. People want to see that.
"Cricket fans (in Perth) were given a dud deal with Zimbabwe last year so this year they deserve to see Shoaib (Akhtar) versus Brett Lee. What an awesome sight that would be."