Lee in Ashes contention with five for against England Lions

October 3rd, 2009 LONDON - Out of favour England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar could be on his way to play for the South African franchise Highveld Lions. Talks are on to sign Panesar on a short-term deal, and an announcement is expected shortly, The Sun reports.

August 17th, 2009 CANTERBURY - Australia cantered to victory over the England Lions here on Sunday, but the focus was on the battle between pace bowler Stuart Clark and off-spinner Nathan Hauritz for the final bowling spot for the fifth Ashes Test. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the Australian selectors will be taxed about whom to finally chose, as both put in above average performances in the side match.

August 16th, 2009 LONDON - Australian fast bowler Brett Lee's chances of making it to final eleven for the Ashes Test at The Oval have probably receded with his poor show against the England Lions on Saturday. However, all rounder Shane Watson and batsman Mike Hussey have made a case for themselves by spending some valuable time in the middle, reports the Daily Telegraph.

July 7th, 2009 CARDIFF - Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, who claimed seven wickets with his reverse swing in a tour game against the England Lions last week, is "gutted" that he will miss the first fortnight of the Ashes after straining an abdominal muscle. Lee has been ruled out of the first Test, starting in Cardiff on Wednesday, and would need a miraculous recovery to be ready for the second at Lord's.

July 3rd, 2009 BIRMINGHAM - England's bowlers are in perfect shape for the Ashes. Pace bowler James Anderson took five wickets, while left-arm spinner Monty Panesar claimed three victims and Andrew Flintoff two.

July 3rd, 2009 WORCESTER - A little help from former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath has Brett Lee now dreaming of Ashes glory. McGrath popped into the team hotel this week to give Ponting's men a few tips on knocking over English batsmen.

June 30th, 2009 MELBOURNE - Australia's injured all-rounder Shane Watson has been almost ruled out for the first Ashes Test after he did not train with the team in Worcester. Watson, who has an injured thigh, was confined to walking laps with team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris in a crucial training session in the lead-up to Australia's tour match against the England Lions starting on Wednesday evening.

June 30th, 2009 WORCESTER - Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting says that he is uncomfortable about former coach and mentor John Buchanan taking up a coaching stint with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). "I just hope I don't see him with an England jumper on.

June 30th, 2009 MELBOURNE - South Africa has handed over England its successful blueprint on how to beat the Australians in the Ashes 2009. England will head into the Ashes series with fresh intelligence after Proteas coach Mickey Arthur revealed his game plans on hoe to put one over the Aussies.

June 12th, 2009 SYDNEY - Australian coach Tim Nielsen isn't losing his sleep over his predecessor John Buchanan's decision to joining the England cricket board ahead of the Ashes. Buchanan surprised everyone by joining England's elite cricket set-up before the Ashes and will work with their under-19 and second-string Lions teams.

June 12th, 2009 SYDNEY - Former Australian spin wizard Shane Warne has taken a swipe at his former coach John Buchanan saying that his presence in the England team will create more chances for Australia to win the Ashes. Buchanan will work with England and Wales Cricket Board's elite coaching programmes and will also oversee the progress of their under-19 and second-string Lions teams.

May 31st, 2009 LONDON - The architect of Australia's thumping 5-0 victory in the last Ashes series Down Under in 2006/07, former coach John Buchanan, was in England last week for meetings with England officials and members of the team coaching staff about their Ashes strategy and planning. n a revelation bound to shock Australian cricket, the England and Wales Cricket Board invited Buchanan after recently losing his advisory contract with Cricket Australia and having worked briefly with the England Lions squad in New Zealand last winter, The Telegraph reported.

May 31st, 2009 LONDON - John Buchanan, architect of Australia's 5-0 win in the 2006 Ashes, can switch loyalties this year. Buchanan, who recently lost his advisory contract with Cricket Australia (CA) was in England last week for meetings with England officials and members of the team coaching staff about their Ashes strategy and planning.

May 28th, 2009 LONDON - England may scupper Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting's plans to field an extra player in each of Australia's two Ashes warm-up matches. In what would be the first shot across Australia's bow, the hosts are reportedly opposed to allowing Ponting to play an extra man in both games as he seeks to give all five quicks an opportunity to push for selection.

May 28th, 2009 SYDNEY - Ricky Ponting's plans to field an extra player in Australia's two Ashes warm-up matches can go up in smoke with England reportedly opposed to the idea. England is unlikely to allow Ponting play an extra man in both games as he seeks to give returning quicks Brett Lee and Stuart Clark a chance for the Test selection.