Brett Lee made his strongest case yet for a return to the Test team with three scorching spells against New Zealand at the SCG on Wednesday night.

Although the selectors are reluctant to entangle Test and one-day form, they could scarcely ignore Lee's commanding performance with the white ball in Australia's series-levelling victory.

In heavy air, and on one of the country's slowest pitches, Lee still made the Kiwis jump with a series of searing bouncers.

He opened his account with a ball far enough outside off stump to be called a wide in Test cricket, but he didn't take long to re-adjust the radar.

He made Australia's first breakthrough when Nathan Astle was forced into a hurried stroke resulting in an edge to wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.

Lee's first spell yielded figures of 4-0-28-1, which included one ball of 153kph.

But it was his three-over second spell, in which he took 1-9, that really made people sit up and take notice.

Even though the ball was softening he still managed to thump them into the pitch at 147kph or better, and scattered Hamish Marshall's stumps with one that beat him for sheer pace.

He then peppered Chris Cairns (50 off 40 balls) with a series of bouncers which had the big New Zealander ducking for cover and fending the ball from in front of his face.

Lee finished with figures of 2-48 from his nine overs, and in the context of the game can be forgiven for his four wides and three no balls.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP