MICHAEL Kasprowicz has clouded Brett Lee's path back to international cricket by nailing down a position in the Australian pace attack during the controversial tour of Zimbabwe.
Kasprowicz's form has been one of the few bright points to emerge from the shortened tour, which ends today when the squad flies out of Harare after three one-day matches.
The Queenslander could make life difficult for Lee when the express quick returns from an ankle injury later this year.
Lee has been an important cog in the attack alongside quicks Jason Gillespie and Glenn McGrath, but Kasprowicz has shone since he was recalled to international cricket in February.
The Queenslander has been the pick of Australia's bowlers during the crushing one-day series win against Zimbabwe, taking a combined 4-49 from 19 overs before last night's final match in Harare.
The Zimbabwean batsmen have struggled with his accuracy and renewed pace after Kasprowicz overhauled his bowling style since the 2000-01 Indian tour.
He has sacrificed swing for speed and has regularly topped 140km/h this week during some of his fastest bowling since his Test debut in 1996-97.
"I had to keep improving to show I was a different package now to when I last played for Australia," he said.
"You've got to keep believing you're doing the right thing but it also comes back to opportunity.
"With Glenn (McGrath) injured for a period of time and Brett injured in Sri Lanka, that was the opportunity to be part of it."
Selectors received an immediate dividend in Sri Lanka earlier this year when Kasprowicz thrived in the tough subcontinental conditions to claim 12 wickets in three Tests at an average of 25.17.
Further success during Australia's crowded year, including matches in Darwin, Cairns, The Netherlands, England and India, will cement his spot before the likeable Lee returns from an indefinite break.
The NSW quick has been trying to overcome the inconsistency that has troubled him since elbow surgery more than three years ago.
In 30 Tests since, Lee has taken 97 wickets at the expensive average of 38.42.
- MICHAEL CRUTCHER