Australian pace bowling spearhead Brett Lee has been reinstated as a missile delivery system with orders to remove top-order batsmen.
Lee revealed yesterday talks with key personnel had helped him overcome confusion about his role in the team and said he had now set his sights on surging into cricket's prestigious 100-Test club.
The NSW paceman has been used as both a shock weapon and stock horse by Australia who have wrestled with how best to handle their blond bomber.
At times Lee has been pushed to the brink of burnout, such as when he sent down 40 back-breaking overs and took 4-201 in the first innings against India at the SCG in 2004.
Former national selector Allan Border was convinced Lee was at his best in short bursts – and skipper Ricky Ponting has now taken heed.
Lee was used in maximum seven-over spells in Australia's first Test win in Cape Town and says he now goes into Tests with a clear head and a settled plan.
"I can go into a match now knowing what my role is and what is expected of me. It's a lot clearer than what it was three or four years ago," Lee said.
"The most important thing that you need as a sportsman is to be clear on what you are actually doing. If you are going out to a game of cricket not knowing what your role is, the battle is already half lost.
"Going back two or three years I wasn't really sure what was going on, as far as whether they wanted me to run in and bowl fast, or bowl seam up, or try and reduce the pace a bit. The majority of the time now I'm going to be used as a shock bowler."
Ponting's captaincy has at times come under heavy criticism – most recently when the finger of blame was pointed at him after South Africa chased down a world record one-day score of 434.
But his recent handling of Lee has been widely praised.
Lee, who played his 50th Test in Cape Town, says a lesser workload can prolong his career and give him the chance to become just the second Australian fast bowler to play 100 Tests.
"The way that Ricky has captained my personal bowling over the past couple of years has just been brilliant," Lee said.
"The opening spell might be a bit longer if there is a bit going on with the brand new ball but generally I'm used in shorter bursts.
"I think myself and Ricky have got it worked out right."
Australia may look at pruning Michael Kasprowicz from their line-up and taking two spinners into Friday's second Test in Durban. First Test hero Stuart Clark is virtually assured of selection.
- BEN DORRIES