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Brett Lee says the frustration of carrying drinks for 18 months just three years ago continues to push him to the point of exhaustion for Australia.
The Australian fast bowler was left physically spent after toiling for 92 overs in back-to-back five-day Test matches against the West Indies and admits even after a four-day break he is not fully recovered.
Now the No.1 strike bowler in a relatively inexperienced Australian attack, Lee is increasingly being looked upon by captain Ricky Ponting to bowl longer and more frequent spells following the retirements of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.
Just how to manage the 31-year-old’s growing workload is becoming a major issue for the Australian team and selectors.
But the man himself insists he wants to play at every opportunity – a desire he claims was born out of being handed 12th man duties for nine straight Tests between 2004-05.
“I’ve always said I would love to play every single game for Australia,” Lee said as Australia returned to training at Kensington Oval following a four-day break to prepare for the third Test starting Thursday.
“I think it’s because of my background … I had 18 months where I carried the drinks and I got so fed up with being 12th man. I was so frustrated and I wanted to be out there playing.
“Anyone in my shoes would have felt the same way. You just want to play every single match you can for Australia, so every chance I get when I’m feeling fit I definitely want to play as much as I can.
“But you have to also be aware of what’s going on – you have to be smart about it. I’m just trying to keep my body as fresh as I possibly can.
“I was exhausted after that match (the second Test).
“It’s really hard playing two five-day back-to-back games, plus with the three-dayer (tour match) in Trelawny as well, there wasn’t much rest between that … so it definitely adds up.
“I was six foot six at the start of the tour, I’m about five foot two now I think. I’m just trying to hang in there.
“Even four days off, your body is never completely rested, you are always going to be sore and be stiff, but you need to try to get yourself into a place where you feel comfortable for the next match.”
Where previously Lee had been primarily unleashed as an impact bowler for Australia, the 31-year-old said he now had to fill several roles.
“I’m still definitely there to bowl fast and try to be an impact bowler, but now obviously being a senior bowler I have a few different roles as well,” said Lee, who claimed career-best match figures of 8-110 in the drawn second Test to now have 13 wickets for the series at 19.53.
“There might be times where I might be needed to bowl three or four overs.
“Even in the first innings of the second match, I was trying to use the breeze to get the ball to swing … but in the last innings it was purely about bowling fast. You throw all that swing stuff out the window, and try and run in and bowl fast.
“You have to be able to change. I don’t think I will be bowling 10-12 over spells all that often, but there might be times when I have to if it’s best for the team.”
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