AUSTRALIA'S pace spearhead, Brett Lee, is hoping critics and fans stay as patient as he is in the wait for wickets this summer, saying an ounce of better luck could be all he needs to tear through a side again.

Lee was as jubilant as any Australian player yesterday as the squad left Perth with the Ashes in their keeping. But from a personal perspective, the series has not been one of his best. He has claimed just eight of the 53 English wickets taken by bowlers in the three Tests, at a hefty 58 runs apiece.

What is most puzzling about Lee's numbers is they have come only one summer after the speedster seemed to finally blossom. This summer was supposed to be the follow-up season for the New South Welshman, who turned 30 last month. The results, however, have so far not come his way, so much so that speculation has arisen that, with Stuart Clark and Glenn McGrath taking more wickets, Lee might be dropped should Australia play two spinners at the SCG for the fifth Test.

National selectors have favoured playing Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill together on Australia's most spin-friendly pitch in recent seasons. But the selectors - and Lee - could be spared a tough decision this summer, as MacGill seems to be on the outer with those running the national team, and his Pura Cup figures - 16 wickets from four matches at 34 runs apiece - do not quite scream for a place in the Test side.

Lee could ensure all wolves are kept from his door with a big haul in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. "It's just about being patient, because I know the wickets will come," Lee said. "I've had three or four dropped catches in this series so far. I could have easily had a few more wickets but at present I'm not taking the wickets I'd like to achieve. It's a matter of staying positive and staying patient, and just backing my ability."

Lee conceded his shortage of wickets had been frustrating. "It'd be great to get five wickets in every match - that's what most bowlers would hope to achieve," he said. "But you can't really do that day-in and day-out.

"The most important thing is I'm happy with the way I'm bowling. If I wasn't happy with the way the ball was coming out, it'd be time to change a few things. But I'm really happy with the way the ball's coming out, and that's all I can ask of myself."

Lee's best bowling of the three Tests came when he dismissed Andrew Flintoff and Geraint Jones with late reverse swing on the dead track in Adelaide. But when the ball is not reversing, concerns have been expressed about whether he has an effective "Plan B" to fall back on.

Lee is trying not to clutter his mind with advice heading to Melbourne. Pointing out he hit a sizzling 158kmh with one ball in Perth, he believes sheer pace is still his best best weapon. " … My pace is where I want it to be," he said. "I'm hoping for a big bag of wickets in Melbourne."