Test cricket will be a challenge for Lee: Nielsen

Australia coach Tim Nielsen said it would be a challenge for Brett Lee to make his comeback in Test cricket but feels the pacer has still got a big role to play in shorter forms of the game.

Nielsen said the 32-year-old fast bowler was still a strong contender for a spot in Australia's One-day side but considering his age and absence from Test cricket since December, 2008, Lee's Test place is not certain.

"If Brett (Lee) wants to play international cricket there's no doubt he's got a massive role in our One-day side," Nielsen was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press, a Melbourne-based news agency.

"Test cricket will be a challenge for him, he hasn't played it for 12 or 14 months now and just his body being that much older and not having that huge amount of cricket is going to be harder for him," he said.

"But there's no doubt he's still got the quality. His bowling in the Champions Trophy (last year) was instrumental for us winning that major event. If he's keen and ready to go it won't be long before you see him back," the Aussie coach added.

Lee, who has taken 310 wickets in 76 Tests and claimed 324 ODI scalps from 186 matches, is recovering from an elbow surgery and is unsure when he will return to bowling again.