Lee under no illusions for Ashes

Despite his matchwinning figures of 5 for 41, Brett Lee knows from experience that imperious one-day form is no guarantee of Test selection. A barnstorming run in New Zealand earlier this year didn't secure a return then and, once bitten, twice shy, he was taking nothing for granted now.

"Going back a few months in New Zealand - I was pretty disappointed I missed out," Lee told journalists at Lord's. "I have put that right behind me now and I'm not worried about looking to the future right now. I'm going to focus on one thing right now, and that's we've got one more game left.

"I will do anything possible to get out there and play for Australia," he added. "I am not looking too far ahead. If I get that call to be in the eleven on July 21, I will be over the moon, but I am not looking too far forward."

Lee's captain, Ricky Ponting, was giving little away either. "He bowled well leading up to the Test series in New Zealand as well and didn't get picked. Right from the start of this tour he's done all he can and I know he will keep doing that. He has given himself the best chance."

Ponting was more forthcoming on the subject of Jason Gillespie - whose one England wicket this season has come at the cost of 252 runs. Gillespie fared no better at Lord's today, his seven wicketless overs cost 42. "He will be the first to admit he is down on confidence at the moment," said Ponting. "Andrew Flintoff is the one that got into him most today."

He added the conditions at Headingley were a factor in their nine-wicket defeat there, but he had no complaints this time under blue skies at Lord's, on what he considered to be a better wicket. "This is the best wicket we have played on so far."

Ponting, in fact, has never lost a match at Lord's, and was surprised that it had been chosen as the venue for the first Test. "To have the first Test at Lord's is great," he said with an eye on the psychological high ground. "Australia have a great record here. I think it will be an advantage for us."

The new one-day regulations give a distinct advantage to the side bowling first, but Ponting insisted that they had had no bearing on his decision. "We upset England by bowling first," he claimed. "They like to bowl first: they have made that pretty clear, and I was more than happy chasing that total today."

Matthew Hayden was absent injured for this match, but Ponting confirmed that he was expected to play in the Tests, although he may sit out at The Oval. "He's in pain and struggling but I had a good look at him in the nets yesterday. I know he has had treatment.

Michael Vaughan was in understandably sombre mood after the defeat. He revealed little at the press conference, but he did say that England are still very much in the reckoning for the NatWest Challenge trophy after their win at Headingley. "We just need the same intensity on Tuesday," he said, "and we may win a trophy."