EYEING a pitch with an enticing layer of green icing, Brett Lee admits he's dying to get his hands on the new ball when Australia takes on Bangladesh in the second of two cricket Tests starting here on Friday.
But Australia's fastest bowler knows he has to bide his time before usurping either Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie as the opening fast bowler.
Lee, easily the quickest of the fast ball trio, knows he has to wait in line behind McGrath and Gillespie, who have just surpassed Ray Lindwall and Keith Miller as Australia's best opening bowler partnership.
However, it's days like these, when he spies a green-looking pitch that Lee itches for the new ball.
"I haven't seen a nice fast wicket for a while but this looks as close to a green top as possible," Lee said today at Cairns' Bundaberg Rum Stadium.
"I've made it a goal of mine to be the main bowler for Australia. Whether that happens in one, three or five years time ... I'm channelling all my emotions and my energy towards that role because there's nothing better than bowling with the new ball.
"On the flip side you have to do what's best for the Australian side and if it's better for me to bowl first change then I have to know my role.
"Whether I bowl first or first change of fifth, I'm playing for Australia and I'm pumped."
Groundsman Kevin Mitchell said some wet weather in Cairns meant the pitch had more grass on it than he'd anticipated as the sun hadn't been out enough to burn it off.
It will be cut back before the Test starts but things don't look rosy for the Bangladeshi batsmen – even if Lee doesn't get the first crack at them.
Lee is rapt with how good he's feeling so early in the season – despite needing a pain killing injection in his often troublesome back during the Darwin Test.
He said the jab was nothing serious.
"It's one of those things – when you have some time off the back gets a bit stiff but that's something I've had the past few seasons.
"It's like having your ankle strapped – it's just a bit maintenance, there's nothing wrong with it, it feels fine."
He showed no signs of suffering – either from the stiff back or Australia's recent break following the West Indies tour – as he fired down surprisingly quick deliveries in Darwin.
Lee was taken back when informed by team management his opening spell had averaged 147kph on Marrara Oval's drop-in wicket.
"I didn't really expect that first up," Lee said before adding the adrenaline rush of playing outdoors for the first time after winter training probably had something to do with it.
"After having a break and having to bowl indoors there's nothing better than coming in off your long run.
"While it was good to bowl fast it still comes to taking wickets and I was pleased to be able to do both in Darwin."
- MICHAEL DONALDSON