Mastering English conditions and not fitness issues pose a challenge to Australian paceman Brett Lee ahead of the Ashes, former Test fast bowler Jason Gillespie said on Monday.

Lee’s new-ball potency is under scrutiny after he did not get a wicket in his opening spell in either innings of Australia’s warm-up match against Sussex at Hove over the weekend. Despite being in England for a month, Lee has failed to make an impact as he battles for a new-ball bowling spot in the Australian team for the Ashes opener in Cardiff.

Gillespie said Lee has struggled on his two previous Ashes tours, claiming 29 wickets in 10 Tests at an average of more than 45 while conceding well above four runs an over. “There’s no fitness issues with Brett,” Gillespie told The Australian. “Brett’s got to learn to master English conditions. That’s going to be his biggest challenge, not so much his fitness. It’s going to be the slower wickets so his pace doesn’t have the same impact. He’s not bowling as fast anymore.”

Australian bowlers sent down 38 no-balls during the Sussex match, with Lee (3-53 and 1-51) the worst offender as he overstepped 14 times including taking a wicket off a no-ball. The pressure increased on Lee after the match when Australian coach Tim Nielsen endorsed pace bowling rival Peter Siddle for the first Ashes Test.

Lee is competing for a spot with Ben Hilfenhaus, Stuart Clark and Siddle in a pace attack where only Mitchell Johnson seems assured of a place.