CAPTAIN Ricky Ponting says frustrated speedster Brett Lee is fitter and stronger than ever and ready to again terrorise world batsmen.
And Australian team fitness advisor Jock Campbell is tipping Lee will reach frightening speeds greater than 160km/h before the end of the summer.
Lee will return to the Australian side for the opening one-day match of the Chappell-Hadlee series at Telstra Dome in Melbourne tomorrow, having spent most of the past two months as 12th man for the Test side.
"I am sure he'll bowl very fast when he gets his chance. He is fitter and stronger than I have seen him in a long time, probably ever," Ponting said.
"He will run in hard and let them go and hopefully he can take some early wickets for us. It's going to be exciting to watch."
The lure of striding out on the super-paced WACA wicket in the First Test against Pakistan from December 16 will also spur the blond New South Welshman.
"There is no doubt every chance 'Bing' gets will be a bit of a dress rehearsal for him if you like," Ponting said.
"We can't read too much into his first game. I know he'll be a little nervous and over-anxious. However, I am pretty sure he'll do well."
Fitness guru Campbell, having helped the strapping young paceman reach peak fitness again after injury problems last season, believes Lee will bowl as fast as he ever has this season.
Parading a new, short haircut, Lee looked in mint condition at yesterday's net session in Melbourne.
"I've kept a pretty close on him in the last few weeks with the games he's played and the way he's bowled at training," Ponting said.
"That's been the most frustrating thing as far as he is concerned.
"He knows he is ready to go, he's raring to go, and he just hasn't been given that opportunity or chance yet."
Lee may be just one of two specialist quicks Australia use against New Zealand with the national selectors seriously considering allowing either Jason Gillespie or Michael Kasprowicz to join a resting Glenn McGrath on the sidelines.
Mindful of the hectic schedule which the team has endured since August, and with three Tests in three weeks coming up against Pakistan, the selectors are keen to ensure their prime movers remain fresh.
Lee has not appeared in international colours since the Champions Trophy tournament in England in September.
Lee's economy rate has been a problem at times in the past when it has hovered above five runs per over, but he was the VB Series player of the year and player of the finals two seasons ago.
In eight matches last summer, he averaged only 4.32 runs per over.
It's felt Lee is at his best when used as a shock weapon in short bursts but the one-day game demands a more concerted line-and-length approach.
At Lee's pace, that can be difficult.
"I think his game has come far enough over the last few years, that he knows how to bowl and when to bowl different types of spells," Ponting said.
The Australians trained under the Dome's closed roof yesterday for the first time since the mid-winter series against Pakistan two years ago.
The roof will remain closed for the entire match to ensure shadows do not creep across the pitch.
Ponting expects the wicket to be slightly slow, like a typical SCG or MCG wicket, but consistent bounce should ensure the batsmen can play their shots.
- JON PIERIK