Former Test tearaway Brett Lee is intent on making life as “tough as possible” for an England side low on confidence when he captains the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra.
The last time Lee zeroed in on an Englishman it ended in bruises, a broken rib and a battered ego.
And the 37-year-old former Test quick hopes to extend the misery for Piers Morgan’s countrymen at Manuka Oval on Tuesday.
“We don’t want to let England back in the game for the Australians,” Lee said.
However, Lee could find the tables well and truly turned when he shares the new ball with Jackson Bird.
The visiting team has made sizeable totals in the last three PM’s XI matches at Manuka Oval: 310 (West Indies), 225 (England off 33.3 overs) and 399 (West Indies off 45 overs).
“It’s always a tough wicket to bowl on in terms of fast bowling; it always comes on true to the bat,” he said.
That would suit promising young batsman Ben McDermott, the son of former Australian Test paceman and current Australian bowling coach Craig, who earned a late call-up to the PM’s XI squad on Monday following an injury to fellow Queenslander Chris Lynn.
McDermott will join elder brother Alister in the side, who was a late call-up to the PM’s XI squad last year.
Both McDermott’s will be hoping to emulate the success Lee and his older brother Shane had in the PM’s XI match in 1999 against India.
It’s a game Lee says was his breakthrough in international cricket.
Shane, who was captain, belted 55 not out off 38 balls, while Brett took 4-25 to lead the PM’s XI to a 164-run win.
“Three weeks later I had my chance to play Test cricket, so for these young guys here that want to go on and play bigger and better things, it’s a wonderful opportunity,” Lee said.