SYDNEY (Reuters)
Australian fast bowler Brett Lee showed he was close to his best form and fitness with a five-wicket haul for New South Wales against South Australia.

Lee, 24, took 18 wickets as Australia won 3-0 in New Zealand last year, but struggled on the recent Ashes tour of England and took only nine Test wickets at 55.11. He returned to Australia with a side-strain injury ahead of next month's three-Test series against New Zealand.

But doubts over Lee's ability to hold on to his Test place were eased, however, as he grabbed 5 for 56 from 15 overs in New South Wales's 290-run victory in their four-day match. South Australia, chasing 483 to win, were bowled out for 192.

"I'm certainly ready," said Lee. "I felt very comfortable out there and the pace was soon back and the rhythm felt fantastic – so no problems there. There's certainly no strains, the body felt fantastic. I could have charged in all day but I had to give the other guys a go."

Australia's other two likely new-ball bowlers against New Zealand, Jason Gillespie and Glenn McGrath, were also in good form. Gillespie took match figures of 10 for 162 for South Australia, while McGrath grabbed 3 for 25 for NSW in SA's first innings.

Meanwhile Australian Test batsman Damien Martyn shook off a thigh strain and scored a superb 189 as Western Australia scored 594 for 7 declared in reply to Tasmania's first innings of 337.

Tasmania had reached 13 for 0 by the close of play on Sunday, with one day's play remaining in the four-day match, still trailing by 244 runs.

Martyn's Australian team-mate Justin Langer (133) and former Zimbabwe Test player Murray Goodwin (141) also made centuries. Goodwin and Martyn shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 321, a record for Western Australia.

Martyn, who averaged 76.40 in Australia's 4-1 series victory over England this year, hit 23 fours and one six in his 249-ball innings.

Australia's chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said the likely team members were all in good form and there was no need to name a standby player for captain Steve Waugh.

Waugh, 36, has not played any interstate matches so far in the Australian domestic season because of deep-vein thrombosis in his calf.

"The indications are that Steve will be okay," Hohns told the Australian Associated Press. "Obviously he hasn't played but we know what Steve Waugh can do on a limited preparation."

Waugh made centuries at Melbourne against West Indies in December and at The Oval against England in August after missing the previous Test with injury both times.

Australia are expected to name their team for the first Test against New Zealand on November 1. The match starts in Brisbane on November 8.

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