SYDNEY—Defiant paceman Brett Lee believes he is far from finished as a Test cricketer following his latest injury setback and is gunning for a spot in this month's first Test in Brisbane.
Lee arrived back in Australia on Sunday morning nursing an elbow injury but determined to force his way back in the Test side for the opening clash against the West Indies starting November 26 in Brisbane.
"I certainly have not ruled out playing Test match cricket and that is definitely the most important thing that I want to achieve to get back in and play Test match cricket," he said at Sydney Airport.
Lee will see a specialist in Melbourne this week about his elbow after returning from Australia's current one-day tour of India.
He is hopeful of being fit in time to play for NSW in their Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at the SCG starting November 17 in a bid to enhance his chances of a Test recall.
But Lee, who turns 33 on Sunday, has a battle on his hands to convince national selectors that he is still worthy of pulling on the baggy green following a untimely run of injuries in the past 12 months.
The New South Welshman spent the early part of this year recovering from foot and ankle surgery before suffering a side strain just as he looked to be hitting his straps early on in the Ashes tour.
The injury kept him on the sidelines for the opening three Tests in the United Kingdom and selectors resisted his urging to pick him in the final two matches of the series as Australia surrendered the Ashes.
Lee performed strongly in Australia's Champions Trophy triumph in South Africa last month before being named man of the series as NSW captured the inaugural Champions League title in India.
But the speedster's latest complaint has led to questions being asked about his future in the longest form of the game and whether his body is still up to the rigours of five-day cricket.
Selection boss Andrew Hilditch has openly talked about his fondness for young incumbents Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus.
Doug Bollinger and Clinton McKay, not to mention Stuart Clark are also on the fast bowling selection radar.
Not helping Lee is the selectors liking for strike bowlers Siddle and Johnson, it would be a brave move to fit all three in an attack because of their ability to leak runs.
When asked what he had to do to convince Hilditch and co. that he was worthy of a Test berth, Lee said: "I don't think I need to convince anybody.
"I can only do what I suppose I do best on the cricket field and that is take wickets and score runs down the bottom order.
"I would have loved to have played those last two Test matches in England but that is all behind me now but the way I was playing in the Champions Trophy and the Champions League I was really happy with my form.
"The only thing I can do is play the type of cricket I can when it is on offer.
"As I said it is unfortunate I have picked up this elbow injury but I do not see it as a long-term injury."
