Brett Lee fears his old mate Andrew Strauss is primed for a big score after the England opener struggled against the Australian pace attack during the NatWest Series.
Strauss has averaged just 11.50 in the four matches he has played against Australia so far this summer and has been snared twice by both Lee and Glenn McGrath.
That record contrasts dismally with his career one-day international average of 39.31, which includes six fifties and two centuries. As an opener his average almost touches 55.
But Lee played with Strauss for three seasons at Sydney club side Mosman and knows full well the left-hander's class will shine through eventually. He just hopes it is not too soon.
"If I had known back then I'd be playing against him in Test cricket I might have watched his batting a bit more closely," said Lee.
"He is a great friend of mine and a fantastic batsman. Against Australia he hasn't been on his top form. He is very hard on himself to score runs, he sets his standards very high, which is great.
"I am sure he is due for a big score - hopefully when we have left these shores. But a class player like him is pretty hard to keep tied down.
"He's always had the talent and always had the shots. He is the type of player who changes to suit the conditions really well.
"He hasn't played his best against Australia in the past couple of matches but I am sure that is not far away at all."
Strauss scored an unbeaten 55 in England's Champions Trophy victory over Australia last summer and Lee will be hoping that kind of touch continues to elude him during the forthcoming NatWest Challenge.
Lee views the three-match series, pigeon-holed in between the triangular tournament and the Ashes, as his last chance to break back into the Australian Test side after a 15-month absence.
Injury and a slump in form have proven costly for Lee since his last Test appearance, in the 2004 New Year's clash with India, but he insists "there is nothing more I can do" to convince the selectors.
"In every one-day match I play I make sure I am putting my hand up to play Test-match cricket for Australia. That is where I want to be, that is what I want to play," he said.
"This is almost like a dress rehearsal. I want to take every opportunity to try and play in the Test matches."
While Lee is hungry to prove his form, so Australia are ravenous for a morale-boosting success after a difficult tour to date.
The tied NatWest Series final felt like a defeat to Lee and his colleagues after they had allowed England, who had been reduced to their knees at 33 for five, to mount a comeback through Paul Collingwood and Geraint Jones.
"It was a very empty feeling," admitted Lee.
"We had played a lot of matches over the last couple of weeks against both teams and it came to that last showdown, that last ball and there was no result. It was a disappointing finish.
"From a spectators' point of view, given what is coming up this summer (with the Ashes looming large), it couldn't have worked out any better.
"But as for the Australian cricket team, we went out there to win and it was disappointing we couldn't after having them at 33 for five."
England have named Matt Prior in their squad as a specialist batsman for the NatWest Challenge, while Australia are yet to show their hand.
But it would be a major surprise if they did not take a similar approach and look to replace McGrath with a batsman if Australia bowl first and vice-versa if they bat.
"I am not sure what anyone expects from these next three matches," admitted Lee.
"As far as tactics go, it is another way the captain can come into play a lot more. Glenn McGrath had a throwaway line the other day that he is just going to bring his boots to a game. We are going to be learning."