Lee, Bichel show sparks for Ashes

Brett Lee and Andy Bichel took nine wickets between them in interstate matches on Thursday as they continued their battle for a place in Australia’s side for next week’s second Test against England.

Lee was named 12th man and Bichel took two wickets in last week’s first Ashes Test, which Australia won by 384 runs in Brisbane. Australia announced an unchanged 12 on Thursday for the second Test in Adelaide starting on November 21. Lee took five for 80 off 25 overs for New South Wales as South Australia scored 319 for five at the close of the first day’s play in the four-day interstate match at Sydney Cricket Ground.

New South Wales coach Steve Rixon said of Lee: “He is bowling fast, he’s bowling straight and he’s bowling with the lethal power of a guy that’s capable of destroying an English side.”

Story continues below this ad

Lee, who responded to his Test axing by taking 10 wickets in a match against Tasmania last week, gave another strong performance on Thursday despite David Fitzgerald and Test batsman Darren Lehmann adding 191 for the second wicket.

Fitzgerald scored 153 in almost six hours, hitting 21 boundaries before he was caught behind, while the left-handed Lehmann was bowled by Lee for 97 when South Australia lost their second wicket at 244.