Brett Lee could face mounting pressure to avoid the Ashes axe if the world's most explosive fast bowler can't overturn his lean pickings against the Poms.
After another unproductive Test against England – failing to knock over a top-four batsmen in either innings – Lee's iron grip on the mantle of Australia's spearhead has loosened.
While new boy Stuart Clark (match figures 7-93) and old hand Glenn McGrath (7-103) surged through England, Lee (2-149) couldn't strike with the new ball.
Questions are coming thick and fast over whether England's batsmen have mastered Australia's blond firebrand.
His average against England has ballooned to 45.5 in 14 Tests – comparing poorly to his average of 32.15 against allcomers.
Lee's thundering pace and skidding style mean he is rarely going to be economical but his efforts in Brisbane were a growing concern.
The Gabba wicket was cracking heavily and England's batsmen were under significant pressure at the other end but Lee failed to flatter.
Lee did strike yesterday morning, when batting star Kevin Pietersen flicked impulsively to mid-wicket, and is almost certain to retain his place for Adelaide.
Skipper Ricky Ponting last night leapt to Lee's defence.
"He was having a lot of problems keeping his footing in this game which is probably the reason his pace was down at different times," Ponting said.
"The ball didn't swing right through the game which is pretty unusual for Brisbane and that's one of Brett's key weapons with the new ball.
"I didn't think he had a lot of luck through the game either but he was solid and he did the role we asked of him."
Dropping Lee or Clark would be treacherous and Australia is more likely to go with similar plans for Adelaide and leave Stuart MacGill cooling his heels on the Australian ground where he struggles most.
MacGill's Test average in Adelaide is an unflattering 44.76 – the only one of the eight Australian Test grounds where he averages over 30.
- BEN DORRIES