Eng have lost their X-factor without Flintoff: Lee

Australian speedster Brett Lee has claimed that England have lost their X-factor without all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

Flintoff is going through his own period of rehabilitation following knee surgery and is presently recuperating in his home in Dubai.

"England have some other great bowlers but what Andrew brings to the game is that X-factor," The Telegraph quoted Lee, as saying.

"You look at the great players around the world, not only in cricket, but at Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and David Beckham, they have all got that aura.

"I know we have heard a lot about aura recently but Andrew Flintoff has definitely got that. He brings that to the game and quite possibly when he is not around that aura that he would bring to the team is not there," Lee added.

Meanwhile, the Australian has warned England's struggling batsmen that he is ready to turn up the speed dial even higher.

Lee has already caused plenty of damage in the first two one-dayers operating at well over 90 miles an hour.

"I'm feeling really good at the moment and I really feel like I'm bowling as quickly as I ever have done," the Mirror quoted him, as saying.

"I was expecting to hit my top speeds in South Africa for the Champions Trophy having played about seven games, but to be bowling at around 93 or 94 miles an hour now is a real confidence boost for me," he added.

"I think there is still a bit more to come and over the next few games hopefully that extra pace will come through and help Australia win a few more matches," he said. 

Lee is of the view that the Australians are holding the momentum in the current series.

"Momentum in a series is huge. We've got to make sure we capitalise on that, but make sure we don't look too far ahead at what we've achieved so far because we've got five more important matches.

"If we can be 3-0 up going back down to Lord's then we're in a pretty good spot, I would have thought," Lee said.

The teams meet again on Saturday in London, where Australia won by four runs at The Oval and 39 runs at Lord's.