Sydney, June 22 : Retired Australian bowler Jason Gillespie cannot be sure of Brett Lee's form, but believes his former new-ball partner can be a formidable force in England if he gets his length right.

"He [Lee] will bowl his heart out for his country as he has always done, he's been awesome, and the number of wickets he has taken in all forms of the game are a testament to his skill and desire," Gillespie said.

"But the biggest dilemma for the selectors is going to be the bowling line-up, and I still don't think they know what they're going to do, whether they give the guys from South Africa a run or bring back the older boys who have had a lay-off," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Gillespie, as saying.

"The guys who are in there at the moment have done a sterling job, and I think Brett is going to have to work very hard and take some wickets in the tour games. I'm not saying Brett shouldn't be given the new ball - because when he is fit and firing he is a potent weapon, but I think we'll have a much better idea after these tour games," he said.

In Gillespie's experience, Lee can be a danger to teammates and opponents alike when fighting for his career.

"I remember when Brett had spent 18 months as 12th man, Kasper Glenn [McGrath] and myself were the quicks and none of us were game to get in the nets against him because he was just bowling so fast, we were a bit scared," he said.

"As mates, we knew that Brett was desperate to play and was working his butt off and I honestly believe that turned his career around.

"He became a much better bowler because it gave him an opportunity to work on his game and things he needed to do better, and his record shows that since he came back into the Test side he improved out of sight."

Lee, 32, is the only bowler in the Australian squad with Test experience in England, but his 29 wickets here have come at an inflated cost of 45.44 runs each. (ANI)