13 Jan 2013

Brett Lee queries rotation policy

9:47 am on 13 January 2013

Australian cricket's revolving fast bowling door has drawn criticism from former paceman Brett Lee, who says the rotation policy is confusing and means some fast bowlers aren't earning the right to play for their country.

The injury to bowler Mitchell Starc will see yet another rookie given a chance.

Starc will miss the second one-day international against Sri Lanka and his future in the five-match series is uncertain after suffering calf soreness in Australia's 107-run thumping of the visitors in Melbourne on Friday.

South Australia's 21-year-old quick Kane Richardson has been summoned but is expected to be 12th man for today's ODI in Adelaide with Queenslander Ben Cutting likely to debut.

Lee, who retired from international cricket last year, says nobody knows who Australia's best side is and says the policy could breed a culture where bowlers are looking over their shoulder constantly wondering who's in.

Lee says relying on sports science as the basis for a rotation policy is also flawed.

He says it's all speculation and there are no proven stats as to a certain amount of balls you can bowl.