Australian team management has closely monitored the workload of paceman Brett Lee this week, concerned that his recent gruelling schedule has been a major factor in his moderate one-day returns.
Lee's form is a growing concern for the Australians who, without the experienced presence of Glenn McGrath, will count on him as their spearhead in the first Test at the Newlands ground, which starts today.
South Africa's captain, Graeme Smith, has already identified Australia's new-look pace attack as an area his batsmen, still buoyant after Sunday's record one-day run chase, will look to exploit in the Test series. Lee will take the new ball for Australia in his 50th Test, to be partnered by either Michael Kasprowicz or Stuart Clark.
Unlike the other members of Australia's pace line-up, Lee had no extended break last summer.
The 29-year-old paceman was called back from his designated "rest" match, against South Africa at Telstra Dome, when McGrath returned to Sydney after learning of his wife Jane's cancer diagnosis.
In nine one-day games since, Lee has taken eight wickets at 57.5 with an economy rate far beyond his 4.71 career mark.
That heavy limited-overs schedule has also prevented him from playing the longer form of the game — Lee hasn't played a first-class match since the Sydney Test in early January.
In all, the right-armer has played 21 one-day internationals, seven Tests, two domestic one-day matches and a Pura Cup encounter since the Ashes — the heaviest workload in Australian cricket over that period.
According to Australia's captain, Ricky Ponting, Lee's enthusiasm and uncomplaining nature have meant that team management have taken it on themselves to regulate his workload.
Aside from one match in Port Elizabeth, in which he claimed four wickets, Lee has struggled for rhythm, impact and a consistent length against a South African team looking to attack.
"He's been up for a long time," Ponting said. "He didn't get the break we wanted him to have in the VB series at home because of different circumstances. Brett, in particular, is one we have to keep an eye on. He loves coming to training and working on things and he wants to bowl all the time. Me and the coaches have got to have a word to him every now and then.
"I don't think we'll lean on him any more. I won't be looking for him to bowl any more overs or longer spells. Brett is best used as an impact bowler. Through England he was probably asked to do a little bit too much.
- ALEX BROWN