AUSTRALIAN captain Ricky Ponting remains steadfast in support of fast bowler Brett Lee, who he says is physically worn down but capable of overcoming the toughest period of his international career.
Despite Glenn McGrath's continued absence and a superb limited overs record, Lee was overlooked for Australia's opening two wins in the tri-series against India and Zimbabwe.
While Lee must have thought nothing else could go wrong after his two Tests against India brought no-balls, wayward spells and eight wickets at 59.5, last night Brad Williams looked every bit the Lee of 1999-2000.
Williams, with his haul of 5-22 against Zimbabwe, had all the attributes of Lee in his debut international season hitting the pitch hard, sideways movement and even the pumped-up celebrations after wickets.
The West Australian's career-best spell has entrenched him in Australia's line-up for the time being, but Ponting believes Lee can put his recent troubles behind him and still play a part in the series.
It's been a tough week for him but he's been pretty upbeat, Ponting said.
I'm sure you'll see his performances turn around in the next few games.
Lee, who has 137 wickets at 21.43 in 73 ODIs, has admitted seeking specialist help from pace legend Dennis Lillee, particularly over reducing his recent spate of no-balls.
But Ponting believes Lee who has bowled 205.5 overs in four first-class matches and an ING Cup game over the past five weeks just needs a breather.
No, it's physically more than anything, Ponting said when asked if Lee was left out of the opening tri-series matches to help him recover mentally.
He's done a lot of bowling since he's come back to Pura Cup cricket and then back in the Test team, he's had to work very hard in every game he's played and he's bowled a lot of overs.
We just thought he was a little bit flat so we gave him a couple of days off to get him to liven up again.
Ponting said Lee would be aided by the return of McGrath and a fitter Jason Gillespie for next month's tour of Sri Lanka, which would allow the blond speedster to bowl first change the role in which he has produced his best performances.
His actual role in the Test team will change, the new Test skipper said.
When we get Gillespie and McGrath back, things will be different for him.
Things could also be different for Australia's bowling attack with the return of Shane Warne, who is less than a month away from resuming after his one-year ban for taking banned diuretics.
Warne, whose ability to keep batsmen under pressure for long spells was sorely missed in the Tests against India, is a chance to return immediately to Australia's one-day side in Sri Lanka.
But Ponting said the legspinner would need more than just nine days to prove he was ready to resume in the green and gold, when Australia plays Sri Lanka on February 20.
I imagine it's going to be pretty hard for him to be picked straight into the one-day squad without having played any cricket, Ponting said.
I'd love him to play one-day cricket again.
I'd love to have him back in my one-day team he's a world class bowler in both forms of the game and I'd love to have him back in the Test side as well, let's just hope he gets back there.
Warne will play for Victoria's Second XI as soon as he is eligible, on February 11.
- ADAM COOPER & MICHAEL DONALDSON