BRETT Lee has become Australia's flint-hard performer with a priceless big-match temperament after again being the tourists' last man standing in the magnificent third Test at Manchester.
The NSW speedster was there when Australia fell desperately short of their run chase in the second Test, spent two nights in hospital on a drip with an infection in his knee, then again was a hero as Australia bravely kept alive their Ashes hopes with a draw yesterday.
Australian cricket is seeing a boy become a man here, a player who left home with his career in the balance but who is maturing into a Test superstar.
"I'm used to copping bouncers," Lee said after being peppered by the English fast bowlers. "I've copped it my whole life in the backyard against my two brothers."
Despite another patchy performance, Lee said Australia had taken confidence out of their fight to survive yesterday.
"The way we are looking at this Test is that we were outplayed and for us to get away with a draw is basically like getting a win," he said.
Lee's effort to survive four nail-biting overs with partner Glenn McGrath as England pushed for victory was all the more courageous because he spent three days in hospital on a drip.
The day before the Test he ended his stay in hospital for an infected knee, rushed down the highway from Birmingham and declared there was no way he would miss the Test.
Yesterday he was physically challenged again but somehow got through it.
"To spend three days in hospital was not the perfect preparation for a Test match but, to be perfectly honest, I bowled 40 overs and it feels like I haven't bowled a ball," he said.
"When Glenn walked out to bat with me I thought, 'Well, he has always wanted an opportunity to win or save a Test match'."
Late last night, as the madness of cricket's longest day finally subsided, the sound of a lone guitarist drifted out of a small bar in Manchester.
"I can be your hero baby . . . I can wash away your pain," sung Brett Lee, giving no thought to the fact that, for Australian cricket fans, he actually has.
The fourth Test starts at Trent Bridge on Thursday week and cricket fans from both countries are counting the hours.
- ROBERT CRADDOCK