Aussies turn to Akram for tips

The Australians are looking for some subcontinental help in their bid to win back the Ashes.

Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, who was at the receiving end of Kevin Pietersen's broad bat last summer when England wrested back the famous urn after 18 years with a 2-1 win, has approached former Pakistani pacer and captain Wasim Akram to learn the art of reverse swing.

Lee and teammates Nathan Bracken and Mitchell Johnson took time out in Bangladesh to seek advice from Akram, who is also in the country as a television commentator.

"Brett Lee is a sight to watch in world cricket. Any bowler comes to me from any nationality, I am there to help," Akram, well known for his mastery of reverse swing, said.

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"It was about action, about seam, a lot of talk about reverse swing," Akram, the only bowler in the history of the game with more than 400 wickets in both forms of the game, said.

"These guys want to improve, so they want to ask the top cricketers (for advice) and that's good.

"I did tell them the little details about reverse swing. I think soon in the Ashes we will be seeing Brett Lee bowling reverse swing," Akram was quoted as saying by an Australian website.

"We spoke about a number of things from conventional swing to reverse swing and different lines and lengths," Lee said about his chat with Akram.

"He gave us a few pointers and ways to try and get the ball to swing a bit more as the Australian cricket team haven't really mastered the art of it yet."