Lee doesn't merit place in main Ashes team: Davidson

Ashes specialist Davidson, who tormented England in the 1953 and 1961 Ashes tours, said Australia should stick to the successful pace battery that delivered the goods in South Africa this year.

"I think Brett Lee should just do an educational thing for the other bowlers and make that his responsibility," Davidson told 'The Australian'.

"I think the bowling attack they used in South Africa was tremendous really and the young blokes (Peter) Siddle and (Ben) Hilfenhaus really proved themselves," said the former left-arm pacer.

Apart from Siddle and Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson was the other key Australian bowler in South Africa.

"That was a really big challenge against top-class South African batsmen and I'd like to see that attack continue in England. You might use one of Lee or (Stuart) Clark later in the series if things aren't going so well," Davidson said.

Lee has had modest success in England, scalping 29 wickets in 10 Tests and has been struggling since returning from an injury lay-off.

Davidson, meanwhile, was highly impressed with Mitchell Johnson and he reckoned the Ashes series would be a learning curve for the left-arm pacer.

"Mitchell Johnson has enormous potential, however he is going to find the pace of the pitches totally different and he will have to make some big adjustments," Davidson said.

"You don't get the bounce in England and line and length is even more important. Johnson will find there are some days where the ball swings and others when it doesn't...these are all learning experiences for him," he said.