Disagree with that, Lee averages over 20, which is enough to be called a bowling allrounder IMO. The only reason he hadn't been coming in above Warne in the past while is because of tradition, I'd say, because he definitely should have been doing so.
Even still, Lee has never been consistent enough to be considered a bowling allrounder in the sense of Pollock. He's a bowler who can occasionally be handy with the bat, and can on the odd occasion, play a match winning (or saving) innings.
Hmm I dont agree, Lee has batted about 130 times in international cricket and made 5 half centuries, he is certainly better than most tail enders, but to be classified a bowling allrounder I reckon you need to be a little more reliable than that and have produced the goods a little more often, he has played some very good innings (against Allan Donald at Perth in 01/02 and during the '05 Ashes) but he is not really expected to make runs, its more seen as a bonus when he does. Look at his FC stats - tailender. Also dont agree with him being better than Warne, Warne had an extremely good eye and was capable of sticking around and playing more significant innings than Lee has shown himself capable of, the only reason he averaged 17 not 21 or 22 was that he very often appeared to lack a brain. But neither are in the bowling allrounder category for me, thats people like Shaun Pollock, Richard Hadlee, Wasim, Malcom Marshall, Brad Hogg. I rank Warne/Lee with the likes of Damien Fleming and Gillespie as a better than average tail-ender.
I really think his test future depends on how the Sri Lankan/Indian batting holds up to new boys this summer, he wont be in the team for the 1st test unless theres a disaster, I think everybody is resigned to that.
I agree with you, but I also think that Tait is exactly the thing that those other bowlers are not which is what makes him such a potent wicket taker. Hes that other option that gives that uncertainty to the batsman, the kind of player who you can knock around more confidently than the others, yet he has the ability to throw that brilliant ball that takes the wicket. Tait is a real wicket taker and while he still has a lot to prove I think he showed real class at the recent world cup, enough to have at least some faith in him I feel.
This is Australia your talking about.. If its unorthadox you can be sure they will do it
Lee and MacGill and control don't often go too well together.
Is Lee capable of that pace anymore?
Well, he might also pick wickets - the only way to know would be to find-out.
Yeah but he looks just like Steve O!
Course, just a tiny bit less rapid than we're used to from him. Last season we saw the first signs of him slowing down, majority of his deliveries in the mid to high 140's which is still very quick by any standard, just fewer of the 150kph+ deliveries we've become used to and he was consistently outpaced by Tait, first time a bowler in the same conditions has been significantly quicker than him since 2002 against Shoaib.
