The 28-year-old last appeared for the world's leading side 15 months ago but a persistent ankle injury has held the fastest of Australia's pace bowlers back.

However he said he hoped that good performances in the upcoming and seemingly never-ending three match one day series against England would bolster his claims.

"I have not played a Test since Steve Waugh's last game for Australia, 15 months ago," he said.

"It has been a long time and being injured and getting the ankle fixed up once and for all has set me back a little bit.

"The last couple of games I have felt really good. For me it's a matter of trying to go out there and bowl that right line and length."

Lee, though, was mostly in contrite mood over his bowling a beamer at England opener Marcus Trescothick in Saturday's tied triangular series final at Lord's for which he received a formal warning from umpire David Shepherd.

It is the third time this year that Lee has been pulled up for bowling such a ball but he insisted it wasn't intentional.

"It is something I am not proud of -- I am embarrassed about the whole thing," said the 28-year-old.

"I went up there and apologised straight away. It took me a couple of balls to get over it."

Previously he had narrowly missed Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq during January's one-day series final in Sydney, and struck New Zealand batsman Brendon McCullum near the shoulder, a month later.

"When you are bowling at such a high velocity and trying to get momentum through the crease and try to bowl a yorker you only look at a slight variation in your trajectory to the wicket," added Lee.

"You are under a lot of pressure to do well for your country and your team-mates and to have another distraction thrown at you is quite tough.