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London: Australia were reduced to just two bowling options for much of Friday morning at Lord's, but reinforcements are on the way. Brett Lee, Australia's senior fast bowler with 310 Test wickets, has declared himself on track to play the third Test at Edgbaston, while Shane Watson has returned to bowling at full intensity and is available for selection as an allrounder after Lord's.
News of Lee and Watson's progress might not solve Ricky Ponting's problems in the short-term - Nathan Hauritz's dislocated finger and Peter Siddle's illness left him with just two frontline bowlers on the second morning of the match - but will certainly expand Australia's options for the last three Tests of the series. Lee completed a series of sprints under the supervision of team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris on Friday morning, while Andrew Hilditch observed Watson bowling from his full run-up in the Lord's nets.
Watson's recovery from a thigh strain is at a more advanced stage than Lee's recuperation from a rib injury, but both could figure in Australia's plans for the Edgbatson Test, beginning July 30.
"I'm very optimistic that I can get up for the [Edgbaston] Test, selection pending," Lee told Cricinfo after Friday's training session. "I'll be giving myself every opportunity. If I don't feel like I'm ready to go I won't push it. We've obviously got a massive series here. You don't want to turn a three week injury into a six month thing if you tear it right through.
"I haven't had a bowl as yet. It's ticking off every box. You start off with a light walk, progress to some light jogging, then heavy jogging then sprints. There are a couple of little stages I have to get through first. I'll be doing a bit of medicine ball stuff before I can bowl. Provided I'm pain free the bowling will start. Whether that's in a day's time, two day's time or four day's time will be determined by how quickly I progress with things."
Lee struggled to watch Australia's bowlers on the receiving end from Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook on Thursday morning, but drew encouragement from their late innings riposte. Mitchell Johnson, in particular, could find himself under pressure if Lee returns for Edgbaston, given the left-armer's errant lines and profligate economy-rates thus far this series.
