Lee relishing India trip

Brett Lee has made himself available for the tour of India starting later this month

Buy this photo

Pace bowler Brett Lee has committed to playing in Australia’s tour of India next month.

Lee is sitting out the current one-day international series against Bangladesh after Cricket Australia allowed him time away from the game following the break-up of his marriage.

However, the 31-year-old has indicated his willingness to rejoin the team for their four-Test tour of in India.

“Absolutely. I'm looking forward to it - can't wait,” Lee said.

The news will come as some relief to Cricket Australia with all-rounder Andrew Symonds likely to miss the tour as he contemplates his international future.

Symonds was sent home one the eve of the first one-day international against Bangladesh on Saturday for breaching team rules by opting to go fishing instead of attending a compulsory team meeting.

Cricket Australia will be hoping time off invigorates Symonds in the same way it has apparently done so to Lee, who spoke glowingly of his desire to return and tour India.

“I'll be looking forward to getting over there,” he said. “The crowds are brilliant, the people are so friendly and lovely. It's a tough place to play cricket but also one that is very enjoyable.”

Lee arrived in Darwin yesterday and joined his team-mates in a light training run.

And while he will not play in the final one-day international, he said he was happy to be back among his peers after announcing the end of his two-year marriage late last month.

“I thought it would be a wise move to get out of Sydney and just come up here and spend some time in Darwin and see how the lads are going and get back into the feel of things again,” he said.

“I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks.”

Australia are due to name their India touring party next week prior to their September 21 departure.