DISCARDED Australian fast bowler Brett Lee is expected to visit India next month to be coached by retired seamer Javagal Srinath on Indian pitches in an attempt to get picked for his national side’s tour in October.
Lee wants to get used to the subcontinental pitches before Australia`s tour to India, according to a report in the Australian newspaper The Sun-Herald.
He will travel to India with Dennis Lillee and train at the MRF Pace Foundation, where Srinath will help him develop the skills needed to succeed on Indian wickets.
Lee is then scheduled to head off to England in mid-August, for a stint of county cricket, probably with Surrey, although Middlesex have also made him an offer the report says.
The 27-year-old recently underwent ankle surgery after an injury in Sri Lanka in March, and rejoined the Australian squad prior to the Test at Cairns for a net practice.
However, following the resurgence of Michael Kasprowicz, his replacement in the Test team, he faces a tough battle to regain his place.
Kasprowicz took 12 wickets in the 3-0 win in Sri Lanka four months ago, and led Australia to an overwhelming victory in the first Test at Darwin, taking 7-39 in Sri Lanka`s second innings.
"He`s going to do some work with Lillee in 10 days` time in Brisbane, he`s having a bowl with the Australian team in Cairns and hopefully he will be able to play a few county matches as well," said Neil Maxwell, Lee`s manager.
"The selectors are playing tough but he`s pretty relaxed," he added.
"The focus is India and it will be interesting to see if he can do that because his recovery is going well and he`s got a wider range of movement in the ankle than ever."