Gilly predicts Lee to fire in 2-1 Ashes victory for Australia

Perth, July 2 (ANI): Former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist has backed a "hungry" Brett Lee to fire the Australians to a 2-1 victory in the 2009 Ashes series against England in England.

Lee, on the comeback trail after undergoing a major operation on his ankle, has taken just 29 wickets at an average of 45.

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44 in 10 Tests in England.

With Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle considered certain starters for the first Test, it is widely believed only one out of Lee and Stuart Clark will get the nod for Cardiff.

"Brett's four more years experienced now (from the last Ashes series in England)," the Herald Sun quoted Gilchrist, as saying in Perth on Thursday.

"He's a 300-Test wicket bowler so that experience has got to count for something. If he does get a chance, I think you'll see him draw on those experiences and use them in a positive manner," Gilchrist added.

"Brett looks fit, he's looking strong, he's looking hungry, but so too is Stuart Clark. Both bowlers will do a good job. It's too hard to say who should and shouldn't be (selected)," he said.

Gilchrist said all-rounder Marcus North and spinner Nathan Hauritz both deserved their place in the Test side despite struggling in the warm-up matches.

Gilchrist said the return to form of Michael Hussey, who smashed a century against the England Lions, bode well for Australia.

"If a player like that is gaining in confidence, others around him will grow in confidence, too," he said.

Gilchrist retired from international cricket in 2008 after 96 Tests and 287 one-dayers but showed he had lost none of his touch in leading Indian Premier League side Deccan Chargers to the recent Twenty20 title in South Africa.

With more spare time on his hands, the 37-year-old has become an ambassador for the Suncorp SunWise mission, which aims to spread the message about skin cancer and preventative measures that can be taken. (ANI)