BLUES coach Trevor Bayliss has called for cobweb-gathering paceman Brett Lee to return home and play for NSW if he is destined for more 12th-man duties in the fourth Test on Wednesday.
Bayliss said yesterday the super-fit Lee - who has not played Test cricket since January - would benefit from getting overs under his belt after going unused on the history-making tour on the subcontinent.
"From his point of view, if he is just going to be 12th man again, it would probably be better for him to come back and have a bowl," Bayliss said.
"I would have thought there are two or three other young guys over there who could do a decent job running around."
Former Test and NSW captain Steve Waugh also asked the question yesterday.
"He needs some cricket whether it's playing a Test or for NSW," Waugh said. "They might want to hold him back [in India] in case someone gets crook on the night of the game but it's a long time since he's bowled in a four-day game."
NSW begin a four-day Pura Cup match against Western Australia tomorrow at the SCG but then have a hiatus until playing the touring New Zealand team on November 11.
Bayliss said there was no clear picture when Lee could slot back in, but he would welcome the speedster back.
"I am very happy with the guys we have doing the job, but I suppose there would be some tough decisions if someone of Brett's ability was there," he said.
- IAIN PAYTEN