Glenn McGrath's rest as reward has paved the way for speedster Brett Lee to return to the Australian cricket team for Sunday's first one-day clash against New Zealand here at Docklands stadium.
Cricket Australia on Thursday confirmed McGrath, 34, had not arrived in Melbourne for the first of the Chappell-Hadlee series matches and would instead rest for an extra few days with his family before rejoining the squad in Sydney for the second game next Tuesday.
McGrath, the player of the Test series against the Black Caps, should take part in the second match but his break gives him a decent rest after bowling in hot conditions in the second Test against New Zealand in Adelaide.
McGrath (289 wickets) will have to wait to overtake Shane Warne (291) as his country's leading one-day wicket-taker, but the rotation policy means the under-bowled Lee will play just his third match in over two months.
Lee played a tour match in India in October and since then has only played a domestic cup match for New South Wales.
{{/usCountry}}Lee played a tour match in India in October and since then has only played a domestic cup match for New South Wales.
{{/usCountry}}