Paceman Andrew Bichel faces his usual battle to hold out team-mate Brett Lee as Australia prepares to seal the Ashes series against England in Perth from Friday.

Bichel is expected to retain his place for the third Test but Lee's hopes of ending his two-match exile have risen with suggestions the WACA Ground wicket will be at its quickest in two decades.

Lee has an impressive record at the ground, taking 15 wickets at an average of 19.60 in his only previous Test appearances against the West Indies and New Zealand.

Bichel has never played a Test at the ground but the Queenslander would be unlucky to lose his spot after helping Australia to victory by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test in Adelaide.

Bichel took match figures of 3-109 and he claimed the vital wicket of Michael Vaughan for 177 from the final ball of the first day, before removing England captain Nasser Hussain from the last ball of the third day.

He blotted his figures with a loose spell after claiming 2-1 in the second innings, allowing Vaughan and Alec Stewart to punish him during their 74-run stand.

Bichel has admitted his frustration at the constant questioning over his Test spot, especially with Australia winning its last five Test matches.

Lee wasn't able to push his case last weekend, wearing the 12th man duties in Adelaide while his NSW team played Tasmania in a Pura Cup match, but he claimed 21 wickets in NSW's two previous matches.

England's tour selectors can only dream of having the same selection issue because the tourists have again been forced to call in a new player.

Durham's Paul Collingwood, who has played 25 one-day internationals, has been placed on standby for John Crawley (hip) and Michael Vaughan (shoulder and knee).

"Crawley doesn't look good for Perth at this stage. His recovery hasn't been as effective," England coach Duncan Fletcher said.

"Vaughan is in slight discomfort but we're optimistic about that.

"As a result of that we're going to fly Collingwood in from Melbourne, where he's playing grade cricket. He's acclimatised and he should be used to the wickets."

England has more worries with pace spearhead Andrew Caddick in some doubt with a back problem, leaving Alex Tudor and Chris Silverwood with hopes of a Test recall.

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