Paceman Brett Lee staked a massive claim to be part of the Australian side for the first Ashes Test with a devastating spell against England Lions at New Road.

Lions batsman Stephen Moore had threatened to dominate the second day with a century on his home ground during an opening stand of 172 with Joe Denly in reply to the tourists' first innings total of 358.

But Lee altered the complexion of the game with a five-wicket burst - including Moore for 120 - as he bowled with great accuracy and sustained hostility.

The 31-year-old has not played a Test since facing South Africa in Melbourne in December after undergoing ankle surgery and Mitchell Johnson has effectively replaced him as Australia's number one strike bowler.

Lee went into the current four-day clash at Worcester not guaranteed to start the opening Test in Cardiff next Wednesday and vying for a place with fellow paceman Stuart Clark and spinner Nathan Hauritz.

But Lee showed he can still be a force to be reckoned with as Denly, Ian Bell, Vikram Solanki, Moore and Eoin Morgan were all dismissed in a deadly seven-over spell.

His impact could have been even greater as Moore was fortunate to survive an lbw shout before he had scored to the first delivery of Lee's new ball spell.

Television replays suggested that the delivery struck Moore's pad in front of the stumps before it hit the inside edge of his bat.

But in contrast the remainder of the Australian attack including Johnson laboured to make any sort of impression on an unresponsive and slow wicket.