Lee compares coming India series to Ashes

SYDNEY: Australian fast bowler Brett Lee said Wednesday the upcoming four-Test series against India will be as great a challenge as playing in the Ashes.   

Lee said he was keen to return to the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day Test, where he took 5-47 in his Test debut eight years ago.   

"Time has flown by so quickly and there are some absolutely great memories playing at the MCG, on a team basis and an individual basis," Lee said.   

"We have always said that playing against England in the Ashes is where it's at, but I also think now playing against India is one of our greatest challenges as far as Test match cricket goes."   

When the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was last contested in Australia in 2003-4, Australia struggled without the injured Glenn McGrath and suspended Shane Warne and the series was drawn 1-1.   

Lee led the bowling attack during the recent series win against Sri Lanka, taking 16 wickets at 16 runs each and ultimately being named player of the series. "I'm personally really, really happy with the way that I'm playing and I'm happy with the way the team's going," he said.   

Lee has never played a Test in India but is hugely popular in the subcontinent. The Indian team arrives in Australia in mid-December.