Brett Lee's sheer pace is no guarantee of a place in the Australian cricket team according to his brother and state captain Shane Lee.

Brett Lee returns from a long injury layoff when NSW plays South Australia in a Pura Cup match starting at the SCG tomorrow.

A good performance will push him into calculations for selection against New Zealand in the Test starting at the Gabba on November 8. But according to his big brother, Lee must do more than just get through the game to prove his worthiness of a 13th Test cap.

"Obviously he's got to get through the game for starters but he's got to bowl well and take wickets," the NSW captain said of his younger brother.

"I don't think anyone should walk into the Test team if they're not bowling well.

"He's like any other guy - even though he's quick he still has to perform."

However, Shane Lee said any glimmer of form from his sibling should be enough to ensure his selection.

"If they think he can get through a Test match and if he's bowling well, they'll have to pick him because he's a match-winner."

Lee promised he wouldn't give his brother an easy time at the crease.

"He's picked to play, he says he's fit - I'll treat him like any other bowler. He'll have to bowl a 10-over spell at some stage."

For his part, Brett Lee said he just wanted to "have fun" in his first first-class match since a wayward performance in the final Ashes Test.

"It's good to be back - I'm not trying to look too far ahead as far as the first Test is concerned," he said.

"I just want to go out there and enjoy myself and try to bowl like I have for the past two years."

The NSW-SA match is a Test selectors' dream with its Ashes pace trio of Lee, Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie all in action. At the top of the NSW order Michael Slater will again be trying to push his case for a Test recall and a big examination for him will be facing up to Gillespie and the new ball.

And with indications the pitch will eventually provide bite and turn for the spinners, Stuart MacGill has a chance to keep the pressure on Shane Warne as well as redeeming himself after last week's angry outburst against umpire David Brandon.

Add to that the in-form batting of Mark Waugh, Michael Bevan, Greg Blewett and Darren Lehmann and it's the closest thing to a trial match for some of Australia's top players.

NSW suffered a blow today when wicketkeeper Brad Haddin was ruled out of the match after failing a fitness test on a thumb injury he picked up against Tasmania last week. He has been replaced by Nathan Pilon, who will play his second match for NSW.

Teams: SA: Darren Lehmann (captain), Greg Blewett, David Fitzgerald, Shane Deitz, Jeff Vaughan, Darren Dempsey, Ben Higgins, Graham Manou, Jason Gillespie, Paul Rofe, Peter McIntyre, Mark Harrity. 12th man to be named.

NSW: Shane Lee (captain), Michael Slater, Greg Mail, Michael Bevan, Mark Waugh, Mark Higgs, Nathan Pilon, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken, Stuart MacGill, Glenn McGrath, Stuart Clark. 12th man to be named.

© 2001 AAP