Wednesday 15 July 2015 10:54, UK
Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee has backed Brad Haddin's replacement Peter Nevill as someone who will "step up to the plate" in the Ashes clash at Lord's.
Australia have confirmed wicketkeeper Haddin will miss the second Investec Test due to personal reasons and will be replaced in the game, which starts on Thursday, by Test debutant Peter Nevill.
Lee, who was a scourge of England batsmen in previous Ashes series, says he knows the 29-year-old well and is confident he will make his mark, both behind the stumps and as a batsman.
"If you're growing up as a child in Australia, to play against England firstly, to get your baggy green cap but then to say that you will make your Test debut at Lord's, it'd be like a dream come true," Lee told Sky Sports News HQ.
"I think Nevill will be excited, he'll definitely be up for the challenge. Nevill's a guy that can step up to the plate.
"I've played a lot of cricket with him, he's a fantastic guy and he'll certainly be going out there to score some runs and take some catches."
Nevill has a first-class batting average in excess of 44. He has not represented Australia in a Test match, one-day international or T20 game but did play in their 169-run warm-up victory against Essex earlier this month.
Lee also says he will be disappointed if rumours are true that Shane Watson has been dropped by Australia for the second Test with Mitchell Marsh replacing him.
He added that Australia might need to change their attacking strategies, but believes they can come back from the first-Test loss to level the series, although he admits day one at Lord's could be the most important day of the entire series. If England win the match then it would be tough for Australia to recover from 2-0 down.
Click play to see the full interview to hear Lee's insights on Mitchell Starc and ankle injuries, plus his Ashes recollections of Edgbaston and praise for former England opponent Freddie Flintoff.
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