In contrast to the experienced thirtysomethings ahead of him in the bowling queue, there is something fresh and exciting about Lee which makes him seem younger than his 28 years.

Engaged in a career-long duel with Shoaib Akhtar for the title of world's fastest bowler, Lee has failed to match his rival for average or strikerate but has performed respectably in both columns while proving less susceptible to breakdowns than the Rawalpindi Express.

His impact upon the Test team was both immediate and striking as he claimed 5-47 against India at Melbourne on debut in 1999, the start of an astonishing first 12 months in which he took 42 wickets in eight matches at 16 apiece.

That pace has proved impossible to maintain, however, and for a variety of reasons Lee has not proved the unplayable world-beater many had envisaged.

There have been problems with an action that has invited injuries and accusations of chucking and the recent form of Michael Kasprowicz has led to his being dubbed the most glamorous 12th man in the world.

His contribution on a previous Ashes tour in 2001 was minimal but he has enjoyed success against England in one-day cricket, most notably the 2002-03 VB Series second final when he took three wickets at the death in a victory-from-the-jaws-of-defeat tale to rank with the best.

Reportedly the first Australian cricketer to earn $1million per year, he has allied his skills to obvious marketability.

He also plays in a band with his brother Shane, capped 43 times at ODI level, and has been called the quintessential modern cricketer.

The only problem with that title is that cricketers traditionally play cricket.

This is one global brand with a little to prove this summer, the suspicion is that he could take out his frustration with the ACB on England.