The speedster delivered a deadly combination of pace and reverse swing to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in a first-class match in England.

Lee (5-53) has traditionally struggled in the Old Dart with his Test average being above 45 compared to his career return of a touch over 30 per scalp.

But there were no such problems on Thursday as he captured 5-21 off 40 balls either side of the tea break.

The Australian camp will be delighted to see Lee using reverse swing after England's use of the tactic played such a big role in the home side's 2-1 series triumph in 2005.

Lee predicted the skill to play a major factor in the series starting in Cardiff on Wednesday and said he had been determined to force his way back into the Test side following injury.

"I have not trained for 25 weeks to sit on the sidelines ... put it that way," he declared.

Lee's flat trajectory on slow pitches and inability to build pressure on batsmen have often been used as reasons for his less then stunning returns in England.

And the performance of Australia's fourth-highest Test wicket-taker at Worcester was a far cry from the bowler that looked headed for the scrapheap at the beginning of his second spell in Hove only last week.

But no-one has ever accused Lee of lacking heart.

The Sydneysider maintained confidence in his abilities throughout his comeback from his latest round of surgery to his foot and ankle at the turn of the year.

"Yes it wasn't great getting injured and, yes, I did not have the best time in India, but hopefully my experience over the past 10 years (counts)," he said.

"I keep saying that ... but if you haven't taken anything out of the last 10 years of cricket, then you are not a smart cricketer.

"The way I have played my cricket over the last two or three years is that I have become a smarter bowler and I have cherished the fact that I am playing like a new role now."

Meanwhile, the chances of Australia playing four quicks in Cardiff are firming by the day with spinner Nathan Hauritz having unflattering tour figures of 1-238 from 56 overs.

In reply to Australia's 358, the Lions had slipped from the potent position of 0-172 to be 6-302 at stumps on day two with Adil Rashid (36no) and Tim Bresnan (0no) unbeaten.

It was just as well that 76-Test veteran Lee was in such form as Mitchell Johnson (0-101 off 20 overs) looked like he needed the workout after missing last week's practice match.

Stuart Clark (0-30 off 14 overs), who started the day in competition with Lee for the third seam bowler's spot, kept it tight while Hauritz (0-80 off 18 overs) further damaged his selection hopes for Sophia Gardens.

Hauritz has been having difficulty gripping the Duke ball and he must get that sorted out quickly if he wants to play any part in the five-Test series.

Part-time off-spinner Marcus North (1-16) added to Hauritz's woes late in the day by dismissing Steve Davies (53) just before the end of play.


:: The 2009 Ashes Series will be broadcast live and free-to-air on SBS ONE beginning July 8. Australian Test greats Stuart MacGill, Greg Matthews and Damien Martyn will host SBS's coverage of all five Test matches and all seven one-day games between England and Australia.