Dec 24: South African coach Mickey Arthur has noted that Brett Lee had struggled to perform as Australia's strike bowler without the dependable Stuart Clark building pressure from the other end.

"Brett is a champion bowler and he has been for a long time. I think what we are seeing from Brett is that since Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath have gone, he has done a huge amount more bowling," Arthur said.

"I say it with respect, but Clark is obviously the perfect foil for him. Without Clark, without a guy doing a holding job, perhaps his role sometimes gets a little bit confused. I think Brett is at his best when he is striking for you. How they balance their attack, I'm not sure," he added.

Since the retirement of Warne and McGrath two summers ago, Lee has bowled on an average 43 overs a match, compared with 37 overs in the 22 Tests dating from his return to the team for the 2005 Ashes, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Lee is under pressure to lift his pace and penetration for the Boxing Day Test after returning a solitary wicket in the series opener in Perth.

"It seemed to us that Brett has always been the go-to man. He is bowling a lot more overs now - we noticed it in the West Indies . The effectiveness of the unit revolves around a couple of guys being able to do a holding job, which allows the strike bowler to strike. Perhaps that might have been a little bit lacking in Perth," Arthur said.

The balance of the Australian attack is being debated ahead of the second Test, but selectors have replaced Krejza with a more defensive option, Nathan Hauritz.

"It looks like they are looking for someone to do a holding job, which is exactly the route I would be going if I was in their shoes," Arthur said.

"Whether Hauritz can do that holding job I am not sure, but you need someone up the other end also doing it. That is going to be the key," he added. (ANI)