As expected, Australia has named an unchanged side for tomorrow's second Test against the Black Caps in Wellington, consigning Brett Lee to drink waiter duties yet again.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting and coach John Buchanan have agreed to release Brett Lee should New South Wales require him for the first-class final against Queensland.
But Lee will not be released until the toss of the coin in Wellington, effectively ruling him out of the five-day final at the Gabba.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting says the issue of Brett Lee being cleared to play for New South Wales has not been a distraction to the Test team.
Ponting says the inclement weather has been of greater concern with the players being forced indoors today and wet weather forecast for the start of the second Test.
Ponting says with an unchanged team announced for the Test, Lee's request for a release has been a minor issue.
"The whole Brett issue hasn't been spoken about at all around the side," he said.
"We've obviously been waiting for the team to be picked first and whatever happened after that had to happen, so we've just talked about it very briefly in a team meeting before we left and that's the first it's been discussed.
Earlier today New South Wales captain Brad Haddin said Lee would only be welcome to join the Blues if he was available from the first ball of the match.
"It's not fair on the other guys," he said.
"We've had three quicks who do a great job for the whole season and for the preparation of the team and everyone individually it's not fair if [Lee] is not here from ball one."
As things stand, Lee would be unable to join the New South Wales squad until the first day of the final was complete.
Australia won the first Test by nine wickets, although the match was evenly poised at the start of the fourth day.