Australian pace ace Brett Lee was quickly recognized by the crowds at the Mumbai international airport, even as he was explaining to the media about the purpose of his visit. “It’s my third trip to India. I came here the first time in 1994 with the under-19 Australian team. The second time I came here to attend the MRF Pace Foundation with the great Dennis Lillee,” said the New South Welshman, who is in India to promote Timex watches.
Lee, who will be seen in action by the fans here for the first time in a few months’ time, admitted bowling on the Indian wickets would be a real challenge. He said it would be a “great thrill” playing against the strong Indian batting line-up in the sub-continent.
Excerpts from a conversation.
On the forthcoming tri-series in India…
My fourth trip will hopefully be with the Australian team. I am very much looking forward to coming here and playing some very good cricket. I get along very well with the Indian players and it is going to be a great thrill playing against Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly… they are world class players so I am looking forward to that.
On bowling on Indian wickets…
I think the wickets will be very hard to bowl on. It is not like home playing in Sydney and Perth. Over here the wickets are quite slower and bit like West Indies on the last tour where the wickets were very slow and very low. So it is going to be a good challenge. It is a fact that fast bowlers have not done very well over here. So I am looking forward to the challenge.
On the impact of pace attack in Australia…
Look, for both sides it will play a huge part. India has got some great batsmen. The (Indian) top six is pretty much world class so it is going to be good challenge for us. When we come here, we would love to embrace the culture over here. If we keep playing like we have in the last 12 months we are in with a very good chance. But we will wait and see.
On India’s tour to Australia…
It’s always hard to beat India. We will have to wait and see what happens. We have a good pace attack now. Andy Bichel has stepped up and has proved that in the World Cup. Jason is bowling well. Hopefully I will take a few wickets. Glenn’s still the number one fast bowler in the world. We have got a good couple of months ahead of us. I am looking forward to the next four days. My fourth time in India is going to be a dream come true because I have not played here with a proper Australian team. I only played here with the junior team and there was a huge buzz around the grounds then, I can imagine what it would be like with the national team.
On the 2003 World Cup final…
Look the final was a dream come true for me personally. I think what really cost India was that first wicket of Tendulkar. Once we got him on the back shoe it set the game up for us. Anyway I think 350-odd on the board is pretty hard to chase in a World Cup final. The Indians appeared too keen.
On his game plan against the Indians in the World Cup…
I enjoyed bowling with a brand new white ball. I’d prefer to bowl with the brand new ball for Australia. I tend to swing it a bit more so I really enjoy it but I don’t mind bowling first change or second change.
On his bowling style...
Over the last 12-18 months I have changed my bowling style especially in one-dayers. I have become a lot more consistent bowling fast. People say you can’t bowl fast and you can’t bowl straight. That is rubbish. I don’t see why a fast bowler can’t bowl fast and straight. Hopefully I have I proved that in the last 12 months.
On India’s latest pace sensation Munaf Patel…
Yes, I read about him in the papers. I have not seen him though. Apparently he is a very good prospect for India. The most important thing is India keeps bringing the kids through. I am sure they have great grassroots here. The time I spent here especially in 1994 and back in 1997 when I was playing over here the kids seem so keen. They seemed so energetic and wanted to learn and that’s great for world cricket. If they can keep those young players coming through India is in very good shape in world cricket for years to come.
On the Shane Warne saga…
It’s a personal thing for him. He is going through a hard time right now and we will try and stay out of it as far as possible.
- TAPAN JOSHI