Fast bowling great Glenn McGrath has backed Brett Lee to not only make a triumphant return to the Test side, but lead the Australian attack well into the next decade.
The obituaries were being prepared on Lee's Test career when, after missing the Ashes series through injury, he watched young guns Ben Hilfenhaus, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson surge ahead of him on the pecking order.
But after powering back to near his best – and pushing speed guns to around the 150km/h mark – during the ensuing one-day series against England and successful Champions Trophy campaign, Lee has pulled a foot from the grave and is right back in contention.
McGrath is pushing for the veteran's return for first Test against the West Indies in Brisbane from November 26, saying the 33-year-old is the man to lead the Australian pace contingent for years to come.
"I think we saw what Brett adds to the team when he came back after the Ashes – where we weren't that successful - and we won the one-day series 6-1 and then the Champions Trophy," McGrath said on Tuesday at the launch of January's SCG 'Pink' Test.
"I think he adds a lot to the team, apart from just his bowling."
"He's got a lot more experience now and I think he enjoys leading the bowlers."
"He's really stepped up to it and I think he's a long way from finishing his career."
McGrath, who took 563 Test wickets in a stellar career spanning 15 years, is not surprised Lee (310 Test wickets) has revived a career that appeared to be on the wane.
"I never had any doubts. Brett's an exceptional cricketer, exceptional sportsman, and he's got that desire to be out there and be successful," he said.
"I'd have him in any team that I played in if he's fit."
McGrath's 'recall Lee' campaign has a supporter in the man best placed to judge how well a bowler is performing.
Wicket-keeper Brad Haddin, himself on the comeback trail from injury, has been impressed by what he's seen of Lee since the Ashes.
"I've been watching a bit of Brett on tele and it looks as though he's back to bowling at 150(km/h) and if Brett Lee's bowling 150 consistently there is no better sight in world cricket," Haddin said.
"It's always good to see a guy of his calibre coming in and bowling at that great pace."
"It makes it uncomfortable for opposition batters and it also makes it great fun for us guys behind the wicket knowing we're going to get some opportunities."
Haddin believes the frustration and pain at sitting out all five Ashes Tests has reignited Lee's desire and possibly prolonged his career
"Not playing in that Ashes series has made him a lot hungrier for this summer," the Australian gloveman said.
"Once he got back to 100 percent we saw the pace he was hitting on the radar … he's definitely a force to be reckoned with and will be for some time to come."