Former Australian quick Brett Lee has urged Australian selectors to not rotate the squad’s fast bowling stocks during the five-Test series against India. Australia will attempt to win back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India this summer, with Pat Cummins spearheading Australia’s widely feared bowling unit.

The injury to star all-rounder Cameron Green has forced a rethink when it comes to the Australian bowling lineup. With more overs to go around and fears over whether Australia’s ageing quicks can handle the extra workload throughout a gruelling five-Test series, calls are mounting for Australia’s star trio of Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to at least be given a game’s rest. But Lee doesn’t agree, stating all three should play as many games as possible.

“Australia are blessed with three amazing (fast) bowlers in Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummings and Josh Hazlewood (and) pending fitness, I think they will play all five Tests,” Lee told The Follow-On podcast. “It is such an important series, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Where it is at now, people want to be a part of it. I just really hope that (the selectors) don’t hedge their bets and say, ‘We have got to try to stop people getting injured’.

“I use the analogy that if you park your car in the garage, you don’t need to take it and get it serviced, because it is going to be nice and pristine. But you have got to get it out there. The body is meant to be running in and having a crack.

“Yes, we don’t want to see players get injured, and bowling is such an unnatural action, but that is what you sign up to do and playing Test cricket as a fast bowler is exactly where you want to be as a cricketer. I (hope) that they play all five Test matches.” All three fast bowlers voiced their desire to play every Test possible last summer but with the likes of Scott Boland and Michael Neser impressing at Shield level, Aussie selectors have the option to give any of the gun trio a rest throughout the summer.

Scott Boland puts strong case forward for Test selection

Boland has relished returning to Sheffield Shield cricket at the MCG this season as he has torn through some of Australia’s best batsmen. After trapping young gun Sam Konstas lbw for two in the first innings of Victoria’s clash with NSW, Boland claimed the crucial wicket of Steve Smith on Tuesday.

Boland was generating plenty of movement and Smith made the crucial mistake of leaving a ball that darted back and brushed his pad. Smith, who only made three in the first innings, shook his head in disbelief as he trudged off, but Boland was adamant the right call was made.

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“It only has to hit the stumps when you don’t use your bat like that, so, yeah,” Boland said. After not playing any Tests last summer, Boland needed six months off because of leg injuries. But after returning to Shield cricket, he looks as devastating as ever. And the Aussie quick insists he will only get better in the coming months.

“I’m not worried about my injury or body at all. I just feel a bit rusty,” he said. “Both my new-ball spells have been pretty good. I’m pretty happy with how it’s gone so far.”

with AAP