Brett Lee is relishing the chance to fill the gaps in Australia's attack following the retirements of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
Aussie paceman looking forward to "exciting times"
Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has said he is relishing the opportunity to step into the Test breach following the retirements of both Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath.
Leg spin legend Warne and seamer McGrath both retired following Australia's Ashes whitewash of England earlier in the year - the duo departing the Test arena with over 1,200 wickets between them.
And, ahead of Australia's two-Test series against Sri Lanka - the first match starting in Brisbane on November 8th - 30-year-old Lee is looking forward to helping shoulder the additional burden of responsibility.
"It is the start of a new era but it's exciting times," he said.
"In the hard test matches we've always been able to turn to Glenn McGrath or Shane Warne to try to take a wicket and get that breakthrough but now we haven't got that."
Lee, who has taken 231 wickets in 59 Tests, will lead Australia's attack alongside Stuart Clark, with both paceman Shaun Tait and left-armer Mitchell Johnson also vying for a call-up.
"I'm looking forward to having a chance of bowling with Shaun Tait because he's got great pace and great aggression and that's what I pride myself on," Lee added.
"What I can say on Mitchell Johnson is that when he has had the opportunity to bowl with the brand new ball he has always done well."
Dilemma
Tait and Johnson aside, captain Ricky Ponting and new coach Tim Nielsen have another selection dilemma on their hands atop Australia's batting order, with both Phil Jacques and Brad Hodge in line to replace the recently-retired Justin Langer.
Jacques is currently enjoying a streak of good form; nevertheless, and despite his recent struggles in Australia's one-day tour of India, Langer has backed the selection of Hodge.
"He is too good a player not to be playing test cricket," he told Melbourne Radio.
"Hodgey to make as many runs as he has at No. 3 in first-class cricket, he's obviously got the technique and the temperament to cope at any position."
