Australian bowling coach Troy Cooley is impressed with the way Brett Lee had left behind 'personal issues' to focus on his career and believes that 'champion' pacer was ready to make an impact in the ongoing Test series against India.
Lee, who broke up with his wife Liz last August, has been under the scanner for his pale show in the first Two Tests as he has taken only four wickets at an average of close to 60, and at the strike rate of about a wicket every 20 overs.
Cooley extensively worked with Lee in the run-up to the third Test, which begins at New Delhi from Wednesday and said Lee was eager to leave an impression at the Ferozshah Kotla ground. "Brett's been extremely focused and I'm very happy with the way he's moved through, obviously dealing with the well-known issues of his life," Cooley said.
"It's all credit to him to be able to be here and do be working as hard as he is working. He's a champion. His preparation's been first class and you never know when the champion is going to take the game by the scruff of the neck," Cooley was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press. Cooley said the entire team management was behind Lee and was extending him every possible help to get back into shape.
"Across the board from Stuart Karppinen (conditioning coach) to Tim Nielsen (head coach) to myself, it's all been about ensuring he has the best opportunity to get to where he wants to go in his fitness, his skills and the time he had out of the game. "He has been working his backside off to get the form he needs to help this team win matches," he added.