Australian speedster Brett Lee in his 12-year-international career found Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara as two of the batsmen of his era whom he found difficult to bowl to.

Michael Clarke's beleaguered group has only played one match since it was condemned as the worst Australian test lineup in decades. To the relief of millions of armchair selectors — for cricket is the national summer sport — that one game was a gritty comeback win to level the series in South Africa.

Former England captain Tony Greig has risked fresh controversy by suggesting legendary Australia fast bowler Dennis Lillee was a "bit of a fairy" if he got hit himself.