Australia mull over Lee conundrum

Australia must decide whether it is safe to unleash their own recuperating game-breaker on Friday as they try to stay in the Ashes at Headingley.

While England face a last-minute decision on whether national hero Andrew Flintoff can defy the pain in his right knee in the fourth match of the npower series, the Australia selectors need to make what is potentially an even trickier call on Brett Lee.

The equation for Ricky Ponting's tourists is perhaps more critical than England's.

If they wait until the final match at The Oval before deciding strike bowler Lee has sufficiently recovered from the side strain which has ruled him out so far this summer, it may be too late.

If they take an unwise gamble and fast bowler Lee is unable to deliver, the Ashes could be over with the urn back in England's keeping by early next week.

Captain Ricky Ponting did not speak on Thursday like a man prepared to take any undue risks, when asked for his opinion on the Lee conundrum.

"I'm sure what the selectors will be thinking about now is whether he has done enough bowling at full pace to warrant selection in a Test match," he said of the 32-year-old.

"It's not just one day of bowling; it could be two or three, successive."

Lee's recovery has been a frustrating sideshow for Australia, after he suffered the side strain in a tour match against the England Lions in Worcester at the start of last month.

"The injury probably went on a little bit longer than Brett would have liked, or we all would have liked," Ponting admits.

"I think he's only had a couple of days of bowling at 100%. We'll have to listen to what he has to say about how he is feeling, but more importantly weigh up where we are in the series and whether we can go with a guy who has only bowled a couple of days at full pace."

Lee's confinement to the indoor school on Thursday afternoon - while his team-mates practised on the square - raised eyebrows and brought varying interpretations.

But he did not appear to be holding back in the nets on Wednesday as Australia put in some hard yards - and Ponting was encouraged by some of what he saw from him.

"Brett ran in as hard as he has for a long time yesterday - most of us batters were on the end of a few short ones," he reported.

Should Australia resist the Lee risk they must consider whether to stick with the same team which fought back to close out a rain-affected draw in the third Test at Edgbaston, or perhaps recall seamer Stuart Clark - at the possible expense of off-spinner Nathan Hauritz.

The fitness or otherwise of wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, who is recovering from a broken finger, and key batsman Michael Clarke (stomach strain) are other variables muddying the waters for the tourists.

England's selection quandaries revolve around Flintoff, and Ponting admits Australia have inevitably been taking more than a passing interest in the lynchpin all-rounder's well-being. "Obviously, we have been discussing it - whether he will play or not," said Ponting.

"I saw him bowling a few balls in the nets (on television) today, but that was about it. We'll prepare as if he is going to play, then worry about other stuff."

Asked about the potential destabilising effect of England's uncertainty over Flintoff, Ponting believes his opponents have no choice in the matter.

"When that player is as important as Andrew is for their set-up, I think you give him every opportunity to pass himself fit," he said.

"I suppose they've got some thinking to do