McGrath wants Lee to step up

Glenn McGrath hopes Brett Lee will lead the attack against the Sri Lankans © Getty Images

Australia legend Glenn McGrath believes his former team-mate Brett Lee will relish the extra responsibility of leading Australia's attack against Sri Lanka and India this winter.

Lee, who has 59 caps to his name, will assume the role of senior bowler in Ricky Ponting's side following the retirement of McGrath and spinner Shane Warne.

“He's got real passion for the game and when you're out bowling you can really focus on what you have to do as well as helping the other guys out,” said McGrath.

“I've got full confidence in 'Binger' (Lee) to be able to do that very well.

“I think he loves that.”

McGrath also defended the 30-year-old’s wicketless Pura Cup outing against Queensland, insisting the SCG pitch was to blame rather than any lack of form.

“The way wickets are becoming these days in Australia, where they're so flat, so batsmen friendly, especially here in Sydney - I think more of a concern is the wickets we're preparing,” he added.

“It was good to see Matty Hayden get runs and Simon Katich to go out there and get a huge effort.

“So some guys did well out of it, obviously it was tough bowling, but it's good for Brett to have a real good hit-out.

“He did that and he'll be ready for the first Test.”

McGrath believes Australia should also include a spinner for the first Test against Sri Lanka, which gets under way at the Gabba on November 8.

“It's always good to have a spinner in the mix,” he said.

“Stuart MacGill is an option depending whether his knee has come back well enough and he's happy with the way he is bowling.

“For me, I’d go with Brad Hogg. I think has done an exceptional job for Australia so I think he should be in the mix.

“If they go for a spinner, it'll definitely be out of one of those two guys.”