Lee and his 'verbal' bouncers

Source: News Today - May 7, 2004

Brett Lee can send a shiver down a batsman's spine with his pace bowling and a lethal bouncer. Yet, the Aussie paceman was at the receiving end for a change yesterday. Lee faced verbal bouncers from mediapersons in Chennai and appeared to be at ease during the interaction.

The handsome Lee, who happens to be the brand ambassador for Timex watches was in the city yesterday as part of a promotional tour to the country. He responded to a volley of questions hurled at him by the media on a range of issues.

Lee, who is rated to be among the fastest bowlers in the world along with Pakistan's Shoaib Akthar, can also be effusive in his praise of rival batsmen, heaped encomiums on Sourav Ganguly's captaincy and the skills of V V S Laxman. 'I have known Laxman for the past 10 years. We played against each other 10 years ago. He used to smash me around the park then and does the same even now', he said.

Lee said Laxman appeared to be the next best batsman in India after maestro Sachin Tendulkar. 'There are others like Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Ganguly, yet Laxman is a standout', he pointed out.

The fiery New South Welshman also lavished praise on Ganguly's captaincy and said he (Ganguly) had taken the Indian team to new levels. Looking ahead at Australia's tour to India later this year, Lee said, 'I am looking forward to it and the Test series should be an exciting one.'

He also sought to dismiss suggestions that the Indians during their tour Down Under last year had performed wonderfully well due to the absence of leading bowlers like Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and himself and said 'the Indian team under Ganguly has moved to great heights. The fact of the matter is that Ganguly is determined to stay focussed and scale new heights'. About India's emerging fast bowlers, he said it is nice to see them coming through. 'It is good for Indian cricket', he added.

Dwelling on the issue of illegal bowling actions, which has been drawing mixed views, the 'speed king' said 'such problems should be set right at an early stage itself'.

Regarding the controversy surrounding the 'injury' suffered by Shoaib Akthar during the recent India-Pakistan series, the blond Australian sprung to his defence and said, 'I can't say Shoaib faking an injury and not wanting to play'.

Stating that he too had been pulled up for illegal action, Lee said it was a tought time to go through. 'It is very hurting and I can understand the feelings of both Muthiah Muralitharan and Shoaib Akhthar.'

To a question as to what the Indians had to do become 'fast bowlers', he opined that there were a lot of things connected to fast bowling. It is a complicated one and there are a lot of technical things to do. It is a question of coordination of both the left and right arms. The right arm has to go up as swiftly as the left arm comes down. These are taught well by Dennis (Lillee) back in Australia and at the MRF Pace Foundation here.'

Lee said he was involved in lot of charity work with his brother Shane, a former Australian cricketer.

As for the world bowling record which seems to be a toss-up between Warne and Muralitharan, the speedster said both of them are great for the game. It is just unbelievable that they have managed to get so many wickets. Their efforts are keeping the youngsters interested in the art of spin bowling, he said.

Lee said 'it felt great to be in India. I love coming here and keen to do well during the forthcoming tour.'

So, the Indian batsmen better watch out.