Lee the unsung hero

Brett Lee was the difference in a hard-fought series. While India's pace attack nursed injuries, Lee steamed in with long spells of skill and unfailing pace, bursts that camouflaged the thinness of the rest of the attack.
His was the decisive influence in a series dominated by batsmen that included 11 hundreds. He took 24 wickets at 23 apiece, impressive figures secured in hot conditions, on slow pitches, against fine batsmen and with the umpires intent on shaking their gory locks. Overall, he has taken 40 wickets in six Test matches this campaign.
Ricky Ponting possessed the most lethal bowler in the series. He could throw the ball to Lee with confidence. Lee used the crease resourcefully, his slower ball effectively, his bumper sparingly and his outswingers frequently. Stuart Clark bowled admirably until the last match, whereupon he looked lacklustre. Mitchell Johnson did well enough to deserve further opportunities without ever looking likely to run amok. Shaun Tait was out of sorts in his single match.
India prospered when the ball swung. Anil Kumble's pacemen were effective in Perth because the new ball swung and early wickets were taken against a batting order missing its most imposing and abrasive member. Elsewhere, they struggled to make a lasting impact. By the end of the series, India's four senior speedsters were on the physio's table. All of them should be forced to undertake a rigorous rehabilitation program at a facility in a remote desert and run by a bad-tempered 82-year-old with cold hands.
Nor could Kumble put complete faith in his own bowling shoulder or an off-spinner whose doosra troubled only the home captain. By the fourth Test, Virender Sehwag was out-bowling Harbhajan Singh. Not that the Australian tweakers were threatening. Brad Hogg batted well but did not take his chance with the ball.
That he was lightly used on the last day in Adelaide told the tale. Andrew Symonds's seamers were more dangerous than off-breaks often directed wide of the sticks. Michael Clarke's action has improved, and with luck he might have taken more wickets. Bryce McGain is worth a look.
Although Australia played well enough to deserve a narrow victory, the Indians had only themselves to blame. They arrived with high hopes but were undone by poor preparation. Rain ruined their only warm-up match, and they went into the MCG Test with the wrong side and still searching for their antipodean feet. Defeat was almost inevitable as an efficient home side pursued tight tactics and poured through every opening.
Obviously, the contentious SCG Test soured the atmosphere between the sides. Interpretations of events varied, and the ensuing frenzy in both countries suggested deep-rooted and long-held emotions had been released.
It was a telling moment as both cricketing nations confronted their demons. The blue between Harbhajan and Symonds could have been contained. Alas the captains were not able to sort it out between themselves. The gesture that started the spat was friendly, and the pity was that provocateurs and hot-heads thereafter took over. Happily, the leading thinkers in both countries tackled the difficult task of putting their own houses in order, thereby avoiding the usual nationalistic apportioning of blame. Thereafter the captains decided to work together following an initiative taken by an impressive visiting leader. The consequent abandoning of the agreement on low catches was sensible.
But the stoush did not cause the defeat. Abysmal umpiring did not help but India should have saved the match. One shocking decision and a rash of feeble strokes cost them the match. Foolish selections also undermined the visitors. Yuvraj Singh played too much and Virender Sehwag too little, a point confirmed by the latter's match-saving hundred yesterday. Irfan Pathan missed the first two Tests but proved his worth with a man-of-the-match showing in Perth.
By and large, the series was compelling. Sachin Tendulkar found his form, Adam Gilchrist waved goodbye and some scintillating cricket was played. Ishant Sharma was an especially popular newcomer. Only the lamentable over rates caused frowns, And the series ended as it began, with Lee charging to the crease, giving his everything.
A month ago, Test cricket was supposedly dead. Australia could not find worthwhile opponents. Crowds were not interested. Newspapers agreed. Cricket has reclaimed its place in the life of this country.
(Revered cricket columnist Peter Roebuck wrote this piece on Sydney Morning Herald website)