'Healthy competition' spurs Kasprowicz

Michael Kasprowicz will be "disappointed" if he loses Australia's four-into-three fast-bowling shootout for the first Test at Lord's next week. With only one tour match against Leicestershire before the Ashes, the battle between Kasprowicz, Lee and Gillespie to partner Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne is reaching its conclusion.

Jason Gillespie regained some touch in the final match of the NatWest Challenge at The Oval with his first three wickets of the series, while Brett Lee finished with six in three matches and Kasprowicz took four in two. The selection scenario has been the same since Lee returned from injury in India last year, but Kasprowicz said "it's not as if the daggers are out".

"We help each other in the nets if we spot anything, or if anyone needs any help," Kasprowicz told AAP before last night's game. "You can easily fit four fast bowlers into the team - who needs a legspinner anyway?"

Despite Kasprowicz's cheerful tip, Warne is a formality and the bowlers welcome the jostling. "I'd be disappointed I suppose," Kasprowicz said as he considered missing the team. "All I can do is just prepare to play. There's competition, but it's a healthy competition. The team benefits because guys in the side work harder and the blokes not in the side have to improve and try twice as hard."

Gillespie looked likely to miss out as he struggled through the one-day series, but Kasprowicz said limited-overs performances should not be used as a Test guide. "It is a tough environment to find form or discover rhythm," he said. "I wouldn't read too much into one-day cricket, it's a different game." Australia plays Leicestershire at Grace Road in a three-day match starting on Friday.