Brett Lee is still battling to be part of Australia attack

BRETT LEE remains hopeful he will be selected by Australia for the first Test after a solid showing in the tourists’ opening warm-up match against Sussex.

The 32-year-old paceman has been a key figure in the Aussies’ success over the past decade but his place in the team ahead of the Ashes opener in Cardiff on July 8 is by no means assured. Injuries have seen Lee struggle to recapture his best form during the past 12 months with Mitchell Johnson having taken his mantle as the spearhead of the side’s attack. And with the likes of Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus also making their mark during the successful tour of South Africa earlier this year, Lee admits he could find himself on the sidelines.

However, the right-armer went some way to pressing his claims with four wickets in the drawn tour opener against Sussex. ‘I will be out there playing thehardest and competing the best I can,’ said Lee. ‘If I am doing that, I expect to be playing in that first Test match.’ Despite his good form in Hove, Lee knows he will again have to impress in the final warm-up game against the england Lions at New road, worcester, this week when Johnson is expected to return to the team. ‘I’ve been on both sides of the fence,’ he added. ‘In 2004 in India, I was 12th man for four matches straight. It’s going to be hard work, and I will be trying my hardest to make the team'.