Lee and Clark set for first Test 'bowl-off

WORCESTER, England: Pace bowlers Brett Lee and Stuart Clark are set to go head-to-head for a place in Australia's team for next week's first Ashes Test in Cardiff.

The New South Wales duo has been selected for the team's final warm-up match, a four-day contest against the England Lions which started at New Road here on Wednesday.

Peter Siddle has been rested after impressing against Sussex in the tour opener while left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson, the spearhead of Australia's attack and a sure selection for Cardiff if fit, returns after missing the match at Hove.

However, fellow seamer Ben Hilfenhaus has been omitted while off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, who could only manage one wicket for 158 runs in the draw with Sussex, has been given another chance to press his case.

Ponting though was doing his best here Tuesday to insist that all Test places were stil up for grabs.

"There are absolutely no certainties for the first Test right at the moment," Ponting said.

"We are still a week away from that first Test match and a lot can happen in that period of time in international cricket."

The Lions, England's A side, contains several pace bowlers with Test experience in Stephen Harmison, Sajid Mahmood, Graham Onions and Tim Bresnan. "It's good to have that calibre of opposition as our last game," Ponting said. "Their quicks have all played international cricket, so it will be good preparation for us."