Brett Lee remains a critic of cricket’s controversial fast-bowler rotation policy

Australian cricket’s rotation policy looks set to play a key role again this summer with eight quicks in the mix for three spots, but one fast bowling great remains a staunch critic of the system.

Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were in and out of the Test side during the Ashes. Picture: Getty Images

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Fast bowling champion Brett Lee has launched a fresh attack on Cricket Australia’s rotation policy, saying he hates any system that sidelines a player unless they’re going to “rip it off the bone next ball”.

Australian cricket’s rotation policy received a big tick after a successful retention of the Ashes last month on the back of a bevy of outstanding seamers.

And with the make-up of Australia’s bowling attack for next month’s Gabba Test unclear – and up to eight paceman in the mix for just three spots – it looks set to play a key role throughout the summer.

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Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins powered through a mountain of work during the Ashes. Picture: Getty

But despite the unprecedented quality of depth, Lee remains a staunch critic.

“I hate it,” Lee told The Saturday Telegraph. “It just upsets the balance.”

For much of the decade Australian teams have had to endure having one or more of their fast bowling golden generation sidelined through injury.

But now coach Justin Langer has his Ashes core of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc all fit and firing – with Jhye Richardson, Michael Neser and young gun Riley Meredith also demanding consideration, creating a considerable headache.

“It’s hard isn’t it?” Lee said.

Tasmania’s Riley Meredith has caught the eye of former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee. Picture: AAP

But while Australia enjoyed success in keeping its bowlers fresh throughout the Ashes – with ironman Pat Cummins the only paceman to play all five Tests – Lee said he would avoid trying something similar in the Australian summer.

“This is pending that the player is fully fit,” Lee said.

“I don’t have an issue with resting a bowler if they’re carrying a niggle that they can’t play with – or it’s going to be detrimental to the rest of the summer.

“I’m talking about a niggle where you could literally rip it off the bone next ball. I played my whole career with niggles.

“But I knew the difference (between a niggle and something more serious) because I bowled through the pain. Your hammy is sore? Yeah, you’re a bowler playing Test cricket. You’re going to have sore hammies.

“Glutes are sore, my calves are sore. It’s going to happen. You’re going to be sore everywhere – and if you’re not sore, you’re not trying hard enough.”

Former Australian quick Brett Lee is no fan of the rotation policy. Picture: Getty Images

Lee’s gripe comes from the statistical breakdowns which analyse a bowler’s workload – and, with historical data, predict when an injury is likely to strike.

“How do you know you might get injured? Because you’re redflagging? That’s someone else’s stats,” Lee said.

“You could have someone behind a computer go ‘well, you’ve bowled 50 balls this session, if you bowl anymore you’ll probably get injured – that’s what the stats prove’.

“I know there’s a lot of science behind it, but as a bowler you’ve also got to push your body so you know where you can get to.”

As for who should get the first look-in at against Pakistan, Lee is a big fan of rising Tasmanian star Riley Meredith – but believes Starc is the man to partner NSW teammates Hazlewood and Cummins, the world’s No.1 paceman.

“Starc looks good and he’s bowling fast,” he said. “When he’s bowling fast with the red ball it’s exciting.”

Originally published as Brett Lee remains a critic of cricket’s controversial fast-bowler rotation policy