Lee banking on IPL for his Ashes return

Australian speedster Brett Lee feels that IPL will be the right platform for him to launch his comeback, for it will allow him to bowl short bursts of fast bowling.

Lee is confident of finding a place in the Ashes squad after surgery sidelined him from Australia’s current tour to South Africa.

The fast bowler, who has had a fifth stint of ankle surgery, will return for the Kings XI in next month's Indian Premier League as he bids to prove his fitness in time for the Ashes.

"I actually reckon it is ideal [the IPL]," said Lee.

"I can bowl four (overs) straight, depending on how the game goes. The way I look at it, it's the perfect lead in - so I'm actually really excited about it.

"That will be my first opportunity to bowl in a competition, so I'll be back bowling (in the) IPL and getting over there and enjoying sub-continent cricket again.

"Everything is going great. The ankle is feeling great, and I'm definitely on schedule."

Lee has enjoyed only modest success on the last two Ashes tours, taking nine wickets at an average of 55 in 2001, and 20 at 41 in 2005, for an overall record of 29 wickets from ten Tests.

With Australia’s young and new fast bowling attack comprising of Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle and swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus doing extremely well, to set up an unassailable 2-0 lead over South Africa in the current Test series, breaking into the squad isn’t a certainty for Lee.

Lee admitted that he watched in admiration the way fast bowlers led the charge in South Africa but with 310 Test scalps from 76 matches, the fast bowler was hoping his overall record rather than just recent form would sway the selectors in his favour.