Brett Lee’s Test career critical

Paceman Brett Lee’s Test future is in chaos following a flare-up of his elbow injury just a week out from Australia’s opening clash against the West Indies in Brisbane.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting said on Monday morning that Lee was back in the Test mix before news filtered through of the speedster’s complaint.

His latest setback is only going to heighten speculation about how much longer the 33-year-old will continue trying to push his body to play in the longest form of the game.

Lee has the option of replicating Andrew Flintoff’s decision to ditch Test cricket to prolong his career by only playing the shorter forms of the game.

He hasn’t shown any sign that he is considering going down that path just yet but his list of injuries have started piling up over the past 12 months.

Lee has not played a Test in nearly a year and with his No.1 trick still being speed, it is hard to see any Test return being anything more than fleeting.

He says he will consider surgery on the elbow that threatens to derail his entire summer as it did his NSW teammate Stuart Clark during the 2008/09 season.

Just like Clark, Lee is finding it is a very long road back from injury for a quick on the wrong side of 30.

The Blues tearaway suffered the injury during Sunday’s one-day loss to Tasmania but he manfully still bowled out his full allotment of overs.

NSW coach Matthew Mott admitted the injury raised concerns over Lee’s longevity.

“Definitely, I think any time you get an injury like that to a fast bowler there are concerns,” Mott said.

“The good thing about Brett is that he has always bounced back pretty well and he is a strong, fit bloke.

“He had a lot of time out which should hold him in good stead for longevity because he is really only at the bowling age of 28 so hopefully this is just a setback and he is back into it.”

The injury shortens the list of contenders for pace bowling spots against the Windies at the Gabba.

Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus all look set to resume their places in the national side for the clash starting November 26.

Clark’s spot is considered the most under threat, he and Blues teammate Doug Bollinger will try to push their cases against the Tigers in the Sheffield Shield clash at the SCG starting Tuesday.

Victorian quick Clint McKay is another being considered while Blues spinner Nathan Hauritz could well trump the quicks to provide balance to the side.

Opener Phil Hughes is expected to overcome a finger injury to play for the Blues at the SCG, probably only having one bat to make a late impression with the Gabba Test squad set to be named on Thursday.

Meanwhile Cricket Australia has moved to harden up its Test batting ranks by naming inspirational former opener Justin Langer as batting coach.

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