New chucking rules don't pressurise me: Lee

Source: Press Trust of India - May 3, 2005

Aussie speedster Brett Lee on Tuesday said cricket's new guidelines dealing with suspect bowling action would not put pressure on him and that he would continue to better his bowling speeds.

International Cricket Council revamped its process of dealing with reported suspect actions, increasing the limit of elbow straightening at the time of delivery up to 15 degrees for all bowlers.

"I have never been under pressure. Early on it was proved I didn't have a problem with my action and I have put all the doubts about my suspect action under the carpet. They talk about 15 degrees, to me that is a hot day in Tasmania," Lee, in India on a promotional visit, said.

The 28-year-old fast bowler, who has been out of the Australian Test team, said he would not change his bowling style so as to get back into the playing eleven.

"What has happened in the last five-six years is that I started with (bowling around) 140 kmph, then two years ago I improved it to 150 kmph and in the last series I touched 161 kmph," said Lee.

"I am getting stronger, I am still young. The trend is to improve the speed with each passing match."

Lee went out of the team with ankle injury after the fourth Test against India at Sydney in 2004. Since then, he has been warming the bench while Michael Kasprowicz cemented his place with some accurate seam bowling.

"That was the hardest thing to go through... I sat down with the selectors 15 months ago and three things were asked of me - to first get back from the ankle surgery 100 per cent fit, to get back to taking wickets, and to get my speed back to where it was," he said.

"In the last two months I have worked hard on my fitness, and in the two tournaments back home, I was the leading wicket taker.

"I had increased my speed from 145 to 160 kmph, so I would put a tick against all the three. I have done everything that has been asked off me, so I don't see why I should not be back in the team.