I think Lee should be dropped as he isn't in the standard of the rest of the Aussie bowlers.
Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne - two of the best bowlers ever.
Jason Gillespie - The second best fast bowler in Australia.
So tell me, out of the rest of the bowlers in Australia, who IS anywhere near the level of the other three? Most importantly, who's closer than Brett Lee?
Let's have a look at the opening bowlers in each state:
SA - Mick Miller/Mark Harrity and Paul Rofe
Both are very young and yet to prove themselves, despite Rofe's sensational season last year and Miller's good start. Harrity almost has Lee's pace but is nowhere near the bowler.
NSW - Stuart Clarke and Nathan Bracken
Again, yet to prove themselves.
Tasmania - Shane Jurgensen and Damien Wright
Effective bowlers but hardly Test standard just yet.
Queensland - Michael Kasprowicz and Andrew Bichel
These guys are definately at Test standard but are a bit long in the tooth.
Victoria - Mick Lewis and Will Carr/Matthew Iness
Mick has plenty of pace; Will Carr and Matthew Inness aren't bad but aren't very quick.
Western Australia - Brad Williams and Matt Nicholson.
Both very good bowlers but need to put together more consistent performers.
So who are the main rivals? Probably Bichel, Kasprowicz and Brad Williams. Being that the Aussies would probably want a younger bowler bowling first-change, there goes both Bichel and Kasper. This leaves Williams as his main rival.
The point is, Lee isn't as far down the pecking order as he appears and aside from Williams who will probably get his chance soon, Lee has few main rivals as a YOUNG first-change fast bowler.
So I don't think you're being real fair to him at all. If he has a terrible season at home against England, I may change my mind but as it stands, his place is on the line and it's his job to keep it but I think he can do it.