Lee still an Ashes contender says Aussie coach

Brett Lee could still feature in this week's Ashes decider at the Oval even though he hasn't played in the rest of the series, according to Australia coach Tim Nielsen.

Fast bowler Lee, the most experienced member of Australia's attack with 310 wickets on 76 Tests, has not featured at all in the first four Ashes encounters after sustaining a side injury ahead of last month's first Test in Cardiff.

But he bowled 16 overs last weekend in Australia's final, two-day, warm-up match against the second-string England Lions at Canterbury, taking three wickets for 37 runs.

Australia, who only need a draw at the Oval, where the fifth Test starts on Thursday, to retain the Ashes, thrashed England by an innings and 80 runs in the fourth Test at Headingley to level the series at 1-1.

In that match Australia opted to recall Stuart Clark, who took three for 18 in the first innings, rather than Lee.

And with the likes of Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and Ben Hilfenhaus all bowling well too, the chances of Australia changing their pace attack for the Ashes finale look slim.

But Nielsen said the ability of Lee, 33 in November, to reverse-swing the ball could prove important.

"I think if reverse swing came into it, he would very much come into it," Lee told reporters at the Oval here on Monday.

"I have not been out to the middle to have a look but traditionally it has been a surface or a dryer surface that does have bounce and a bit of carry.

"Those sort of conditions can help the ball get scuffed up which we know then can make it reverse.

"I think that when that is happening that Brett is as good an exponent as anyone in the world."

But Lee is not renowned for his control - Clark's prize asset.

Given Australia need only a draw, the risks involved in leaving out Clark from an attack that could prove expensive in his absence do not appear to justify the potential rewards.

However, Nielsen said of Lee: "So as long as he is fit and gets through the next few days and we have a look at the conditions and, if they suit, he will very much come into contention to play."

Nevertheless, he added: "The team that played so well at Headingley has obviously given us a real quandary.

"But to be able to go into a Test pretty well with our full squad available and playing well is a nice position to be in."