With the ankle injury a matter of the past, speedster Brett Lee, primed for a comeback in the Test squad for the Ashes, said he wants to become the spearhead of the Australian bowling attack.
Talking to reporters after unveiling the Timex perpetual calendar collection here today, the tearaway pacer said, "to be honest, it was very disappointing to be left out of the Test squad for nearly 16 months. But the team was doing well and I had to keep performing and work hard."
"The selectors asked three things from me, to get the ankle completely healed, take wickets and bowl at the pace I used to. My ankle has healed completely, I was the leading wicket-taker in the last two one day tournaments and I'm bowling even faster. I did just what they asked me for and now I want to emerge as Australia's No 1 bowler," he said.
Dismissing the possibility of compromising on speed to maintain his fitness, the Australian blond said, “I started bowling at 140 kmph. Couple of years and I was bowling at 150 and these days I'm bowling even at 160/161 kmph. The past five years have seen me going fast and fast and I think I can bowl even faster. Bowling fast excites me and though I'm 28, I feel I have the body of a 21-year-old guy."
Showering praise on batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, Lee said, "I admire him most. He is so humble a human being. It was outstanding for a guy to achieve what he has and it was all under tremendous pressure. He is an incredible gentleman who always puts country ahead of himself."
Asked if India-Australia series was more exciting than the Ashes, the quickie said, "media in UK and Australia loves to project the Ashes as the best and feel it's the cream of the crop. But I feel Australia-India series is at par with the Ashes."
He also said there was nothing wrong with an Australian coaching team India.
"After John Wright left, we are hearing Tom Moody or Greg Chappell might coach India. Greg has captained Australia and has been a great batsman himself. Moody also was a good player but it would be a huge challenge for them."
Lee also rued not playing a Test in India despite being part of the Australian squad that came here last year.
"I have a huge fan following here and I get couple of hundreds of mails from them every week. I love the culture here and it was truely disappointing not to play here," he added.