All Uneasy in Australian Camp as Watson-Lee Differences Get Attention

Sreelata YellamrazuAug 8 2009

Australia may be on the road to winning their first Test of Ashes 2009. However, there are simmering tensions within the camp that need to be addressed at the earliest.

lee caged

Brett Lee was shocked when his name went missing amongst the final playing eleven at Headingley for the fourth Test. Instead the Australians decided to go with Stuart Clark, which also caused quite the stir.

watson lee

But the reason for tensions boiling over began when Shane Watson, who was drafted into the third Test at Edgbaston after himself being struck by injuries and replacing the specialist Phillip Hughes, expressed his thought that Lee would need more practice and time before returning to match. In his opinion, Lee lacked match fitness.

Lee was clearly upset over the remarks stating he had been through rigourous trials for a week and that he was raring to go.

lee not happy

As it turned out, Australia went with Stuart Clark and they were immediately vindicated as he picked three wickets, immediately sparking anger over why he was such a delayed selection, especially with Mitchell Johnson struggling up until this Test.

Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain, knows the rifts brewing within the team and he will have to address them once he completes the formalities against England.

Ashes: Ian Chappell Believes Australian Selections Will Backfire

Watson Moans Lack of Consistent Run

Ashes T4 Day 2 Tea: North and Australia Sink England

England In Trouble over a Woman's Wet Clothes?

Shoaib, Lee Face Uncertain Futures

Ashes T 4 Day 2 Lunch: Clarke Falls but Australia Extend Dominance

Ashes T4 Day 1 Stumps: Australia Rub in the Advantage

Ashes T 4 Day 1 Lunch and Tea: England Succumb to Aussie Pressure

Aussie Success, Impartiality - Taufel's Bane

Flintoff Rates Ashes best cricket for an Englishman

Strauss: England Not Looking to Draw

Michael Clarke on Injury Alert