Lee to be unleashed against Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe face a hostile welcome from Australia when the two sides meet for the first time this summer here on Sunday in the triangular one-day cricket series.

The unbeaten Australians will field their top opening attack, with speedster Brett Lee returning to the side to partner Glenn McGrath at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Batsman Simon Katich may also play after coming into the squad last week to replace injured captain Steve Waugh.

Lee was rested from Wednesday's rain-affected 28-run win over the West Indies in Sydney as he returned from a back injury, but acting captain Adam Gilchrist said he would be right for this weekend.

"We didn't leave Brett out because he was sore or anything, I think we were always going to leave him out," Gilchrist said. "He had seven weeks off bowling, came back and bowled in Brisbane -- we were always going to go game on, game off with him.

"We'll play him again in Melbourne, it's likely that he'll play down there, and then we'll assess it after that."

Lee returned from injury last Sunday in Brisbane, taking 1-40 off seven overs. His inclusion could force Nathan Bracken, who took 2-21 on Wednesday, out of the starting XI.

One of the middle-order batsmen would probably be rested if Katich was given a game on Sunday.

An international clean sweep is looming this summer for Australia, having beaten the West Indies three times so far this one-day series and sweeping their Test series 5-0.

"We hadn't thought of that at this point in time, I guess there's a chance of that," Gilchrist said. "We're confident, we've got a good momentum up at the moment and things are travelling well.

"We'll go out to win every single match this year. We're in the position to try to carry it out."

Gilchrist said the Australians were determined not to drop their guard, treating the West Indians with respect despite their lack of form. Star Caribbean batsman Brian Lara showed why such respect was warranted, belting 116 not out to give his side an outside chance before the rain came.

With the match washed out, match officials used the complicated Duckworth/Lewis system to confirm Australia had won.

The Australian attitude of giving no respite to their opposition is not good news for the Zimbabweans, who have been soundly thrashed by Australian first-class teams in the two practice matches they have played. In their only international game so far, they lost to the West Indies, who in turn have been getting pounded by the all-conquering Aussies.

Mail Cricket Editor