Lee and Hayden prosper at Grace Road

Australian XI 169 for 2 (Hayden 75, Langer 71*) trail Leicestershire 217 (Rogers 56, Lee 4-58) by 48 runs
Scorecard

Jason Gillespie continued to show signs that he is recovering his form, as he took two wickets on the opening day of the Australians' three-day warm-up match against Leicestershire at Grace Road. This is the tourists' last match before the first Test next Thursday, and they were determined to impress, shooting Leicestershire out for 217 before tea, in just 55.2 overs. In reply, the Australians racked up 169 for 2: they now trail by 48 runs with eight wickets remaining in their first innings.

But the star of the bowling show was Brett Lee, who took 4 for 53 to further strengthen his Test case. Matthew Hayden made the most of this last-minute practice with 75, Justin Langer did like-wise: he was unbeaten on 71 by stumps. Two Australians top-scored for the home side: Chris Rogers made 56, while Jason Krejza - who has been playing for Scottish club side Greenock - made 38 on debut.

Gillespie opened the bowling, but failed to find the breakthrough in his first burst. He came back strongly, though, to remove Nos 9 and 10, who both edged through to Adam Gilchrist. Gillespie ended with 2 for 40 from 11 overs, but his rival Mike Kasprowicz also bowled well, with 1 for 43 from 12.

It was Lee, however, who did the early damage, putting paid to the top three and adding Tom New later on. Lee was on the money from the first ball, trapping Darren Robinson lbw. He returned to dismiss John Maunders for 17, Matthew Hayden holding the catch (36 for 2). Rogers made something of a recovery effort for Leicestershire, with 56, but he too fell victim to Lee's pace, with Kasprowicz clinging on, and Lee then removed New for 18 (157 for 6).

So Lee has again proved his worth and must now fancy his chances of making the cut for Lord's - although, having been disappointed before in New Zealand, he won't be counting his chickens until the team is announced. Nevertheless, his feats on the opening day at Grace Road has put down a marker.

After New fell, Leicestershire were in trouble at 157 for 6, but David Masters and Ottis Gibson put on 58 for the seventh wicket to add respectability. But they lost their last three wickets for two runs as Gillespie picked off first Masters then Stuart Broad, with Stuart MacGill trapping Gibson lbw for 30. With John Sadler having retired hurt earlier on 4, the Leicestershire innings came to an end on 217.

Australia made the most of an unimpressive Leicestershire attack, helping themselves to 169 runs for the loss of just two wickets - both to Maunders - by the close. Michael Clarke missed out on the run-feast, however, when he fell lbw, shortly after Hayden had edged through for 75. It was without doubt Australia's day - ominously, they seem to be peaking at the right time.