Lee comes to defence of Ponting

Australia paceman Brett Lee has leapt to the defence of under-fire Test skipper Ricky Ponting and insisted the team will bounce back in the Ashes.

Ponting has been widely criticised for his tactics after his side went down 2-0 to India in their two-match series with former spinner Shane Warne particularly vocal in his disapproval of the field set when Nathan Hauritz was bowling.

The series loss means Australia now sit fifth in the world rankings, below England, who go Down Under for the Ashes next month.

Lee admits the dip in fortunes is disappointing but insists placing all the blame on Ponting is unfair.

"What happens when you lose a Test match, the name that comes up first is the captain," Lee said.