Watson doubts if Brett Lee is ready for fourth Test

Leeds: Brett Lee has declared himself "100 percent" fit for the fourth Ashes Test but his Australian teammate Shane Watson is not sure if the pacer is ready for a comeback.

Lee had yesterday asserted that he was ready for the Headingley game but Watson insisted that one must play competitive cricket before getting back to Test grinding.

"I know from my experience coming back from a side injury, or an injury in general, that you normally need at least probably one game under your belt to be able to have a big crack out in a game, before you actually get into a Test match," Watson said.

Watson said selectors may decide against picking Lee for the fourth Test, beginning tomorrow.

"At the moment there is probably less chance of him being picked because of that reason. He is still probably a game away to get under his belt before he might be in calculations for selection. I`m not a selector but that`s my feeling as to where he is at," Watson was quoted as saying.

After yesterday`s practice Lee, who is yet figure in this year`s Ashes, had said, "My pace feels really good and I`m 100 percent ready to go. I`ve been bowling for two weeks. I`ve bowled eight days straight. Most days I have been bowling back-to-back so morning and afternoon sessions.

"Hopefully I have done everything I can to prove that I`m ready to go."

Bureau Report