AUSTRALIA skipper Ricky Ponting last night gave the strongest indication yet that glamour quick Brett Lee could be let loose on under-performing Pakistan in next week's first Test in Perth.
Ponting claimed the tearaway speedster was "very close to being back to the Brett Lee of old" and was tantalisingly close to a fully fledged international recall.
He said Australia would consider a shock selection move of leaving out a batsman and unleashing Lee in a four-pronged pace attack in the clash against Pakistan starting at the WACA Ground on Thursday.
Lee bowled with fire in the one-day series against New Zealand, clocking over 150km/h to impress teammates and selectors with brutal pace.
"Just judging his pace, knowing how fit he is and how much he's wanting it, I don't think he's far away at all," Ponting said.
"He might get a chance in Perth. It probably will be considered. The wicket over there is obviously going to suit the fast bowlers.
"We all feel he's knocking on the door again and is very close to being back to the Brett Lee of old, an injury-free one."
Lee remains favourite to carry the drinks in Perth but Ponting's plug is a sure sign that Lee will be back in the Test side sooner rather than later.
Ponting was speaking after Australian cricket suffered a million-dollar loss with the washout of the final Chappell-Hadlee one-day series decider between Australia and New Zealand in Brisbane.
Queensland Cricket will wear the brunt of the financial battering with all spectators who turned out at a sodden Gabba ground entitled to a full refund.
The abandonment of the match, at 5.15pm local time after hours of persistent rain, came without a ball being bowled and left the series tied at 1-1.
The inaugural Chappell-Hadlee Trophy now has no rightful home although it will probably stay in Australia for safekeeping, despite some offbeat suggestions it should be sent to neutral territory in the Pacific.
Kiwi spinner Daniel Vettori won man-of-the-series and a $5500 plasma screen television, primarily for his match-turning performance in Melbourne where he took 3-31.
New Zealand opening batsman Mark Richardson yesterday announced his retirement.
- BEN DORRIES