Brett Lee concedes he is a "work in progress" despite having taken 211 wickets in 54 Tests.
But of the dozen Australians to have taken 200 or more wickets, Lee is the only one with an average of more than 30 (31.45).
Lee, 30 in November, is looking forward to sharing the new-ball attack with Glenn McGrath as Australia strives to reclaim the Ashes this summer.
"Glenn McGrath has been our best fast bowler for some time and we did miss him against England," Lee said yesterday.
"He's been training very hard and he's got his body right after a long break.
"Glenn has been champing at the bit to get a bowl at England and I'm pumped for it as well. I can't wait to get my hand on a shiny red Kookaburra ball."
Lee had a mixed Ashes series last year after 18 months out of the Test arena, and claimed there is room for improvement.
"As an athlete I want to keep improving; as a bowler and as a batsman," he said.
He has been working on his batting with Steve Rixon, the former NSW and Australia wicketkeeper who has recently returned to Australia after two years in charge of Surrey.
New fast bowling coach Troy Cooley will get his first look at Lee when the pair do a net session at the SCG tomorrow.
"I've not worked with him before. You only have to see what he's achieved with the England bowlers to realise he's a fantastic coach," Lee said.
"I'm looking forward to working with him, but Dennis Lillee remains one of my great mentors.
"Is there an extra kilometre (km/h) in me? You will have to wait and see."
Lee yesterday was joined by batsman Michael Clarke as Cricket Australia marked the 100-day countdown to the start of the Ashes in Brisbane with the cutting of a metre-long urn cake on Sydney's harbour.
Lee turns 30 on November 8, two weeks before the first Test at the Gabba, and wants to be bowling faster than he ever has.
"They reckon a fast bowler doesn't reach maturity until he's 30," Lee said.
"So the way I look at it there's no reason why I can't get faster and faster, but it's going to take a lot of hard work.
"Fast bowlers don't always get wickets any more. You can bowl fast and pick up the odd wicket by scaring a batsman out, but Test batsmen don't always get scared.
"You really have to work a batsman out."
"I'm pumped ... one hundred days to go. I can't wait to get the ball in my hands."
Lee made his Test debut in the Boxing Day match against India at the MCG in 1999 and took 5-47 in his first innings.
They remained his best figures in Tests until the Test against the West Indies at the Gabba last season when he took 5-30.
Lee took a while to learn there is more to being a fast bowler than just bowling fast.
"You do have to realise that fast bowling doesn't always take wickets," he said.
"I have changed my game. I think it comes from being a bit more mature as a person and a mature bowler as well.
"I've learnt what hasn't worked and I've learned what has worked.
"You've got to try to do the stuff that has worked more often than not if you want to be successful."
- PETER KOGOY