Brett Lee says he has overcome the confusion that almost killed his career and has set his sights on joining cricket's elite 100-Test club.
Lee has been used as both shock weapon and stock horse by Australia which has never been able to settle on how to handle its blond bomber.
He has been pushed to the brink of burnout, such as when he sent down 40 overs and took 4-201 in the first innings against India at the SCG in 2004.
It convinced former national selector Allan Border that Lee is best used in short bursts and skipper Ricky Ponting has taken heed.
There was a feeling Lee was leaned on too much during last year's Ashes campaign, but Australia has become increasingly wary of overload issues.
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.
As a South African magazine put it, he is a missile delivery system with orders to take out top-order batsmen.
'I can go into a match knowing what my role is and what is expected of me," Lee said.
"It's a lot clearer than what it was three or four years ago.
"The most important thing 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 to reduce the pace a bit.
"Mostly I'm going to be used as a shock bowler."
Ponting's captaincy has, at times, been criticised -- most recently 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 Ricky has captained my 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 its line-up and taking two spinners into Friday's second Test in Durban.
First Test hero Stuart Clark is virtually assured of selection after his match figures of 8-89 and has received some sage words of advice from Lee.
Lee exploded into Test cricket with 5-47 against India in 1999 but has endured plenty of hollow times since, including a long stint where he was 12th man behind Kasprowicz.
"I've told Stuey to just keep doing what he's done best," Lee said.
"You hope to go and get another five-for in your next Test but as I found out, there's always a few setbacks."
After a draining 18 months of almost non-stop cricket, Australian players are looking forward to a three-month break after a Test and one-day series in Bangladesh next month.
- BEN DORRIES