A revitalised Brett Lee has sent an ominous warning to England's Ashes tourists by claiming he has still not reached his peak and can bowl even faster.
"I'm 29 years old now and they reckon a fast bowler doesn't reach maturity until he's 30," Lee said yesterday at a cake-cutting ceremony marking 100 days until the five-Test series begins in Brisbane.
"So there is no reason why I can't get faster and faster, but it's going to take a lot of hard work."
Lee also revealed he was not working solely on his speed, wanting to become smarter as well as faster.
"You have to realise that fast bowling doesn't always take wickets. You can bowl fast and pick up the odd wicket by scaring a batsman, but Test cricket batsmen don't scare any more," he said.
"You've got to really work a batsman out which is why Glenn (McGrath) has done so well.
After several moderate years Lee's form blossomed last summer with 50 wickets in 10 home Tests and the Australia selectors recognised his progress by making him the second-highest ranked player on their contract list behind Ricky Ponting.
Lee's marriage two months ago has also proved a very positive event in his life and he says, with a flow-on effect, it will also benefit his cricket.
"If your off-field life is comfortable and you are happy with that then generally the performances on the cricket field shine through," he said.
Lee said his wife Liz was also his best critic.
"She's been there from the start and it's great having a second set of eyes looking over what happens," Lee said.
"She knows me better than anybody, so if I'm a bit out of sorts or character and not enjoying myself she might say that."
Lee said this may well be the biggest series he will ever play in and said the news that Andrew Flintoff will be fit for the series was fantastic.
"And if we are going to be playing against England we want them at their strongest. They beat us fair and square and we want another crack."
- JON GEDDES