145;Exhausted Lee needs rest146;

While Lee was watching from the stands, Brad Williams gained man-of-the-match honours with 5-22 in Australia8217;s 99-run win over Zimbabwe here yesterday.

The West Australian8217;s career-best spell has entrenched him in Australia8217;s line-up for the time being, but Ponting believes Lee can put his recent troubles behind him and still play a part in the series. 8220;It8217;s been a tough week for him but he8217;s been pretty upbeat,8221; Ponting said. 8220;I8217;m sure you8217;ll see his performances turn around in the next few games.8221;

Lee, who has 137 wickets at 21.43 in 73 ODIs, has admitted seeking specialist help from pace great Dennis Lillee, particularly over reducing his recent splurge of no-balls.

But Ponting believes Lee 8212; who has bowled 205.5 overs in four first-class matches and a domestic one-day game over the past five weeks 8212; just needs a breather.

8220;No, it8217;s physically more than anything,8221; Ponting said when asked if Lee was left out of the opening tri-series matches to help him recover mentally. 8220;He8217;s done a lot of bowling since he8217;s come back to Sheffield Shield cricket and then back in the Test team, he8217;s had to work very hard in every game he8217;s played and he8217;s bowled a lot of overs.8221;

8220;We just thought he was a little bit flat so we gave him a couple of days off to get him to liven up again,8221; Ponting said.