Australia could field their fastest pace battery of all time in September's Twenty20 World Cup with Brett Lee and Shaun Tait to be unleashed together.
The duo, who have pushed the speedometer to around 160km/m, were yesterday chosen in a 15-man squad for the two-week tournament in South Africa in September.
The selectors have decided the squad that trounced the cricket world in the 50-over World Cup in the West Indies in April deserve the chance to create similar havoc in the 20-over game - the inclusion of Lee for retired Glenn McGrath being the only change.
"I'm ready to go," said Lee, who missed the West Indies glory because of ankle surgery. "I have been training well with NSW and I am as ready for the season as I would be if I was doing a normal off-season."
There is a strong chance that Lee and Tait, who recently underwent elbow surgery, will be united as an opening pair in all forms of the game this season, representing perhaps the fastest new-ball combination Australia has fielded.
"I am not sure what the selectors' plans are and there are plenty of good quicks around such as Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Bracken, but there is no doubt Shaun is a very exciting bowler," Lee said.
The selectors will cull the squad of 15 to 14 for the eight-match one-day tour of India which follows the Twenty20 World Cup, with reserve keeper Brad Haddin to be omitted.
West Australian batsman Adam Voges has been named captain of the Australia A side to tour Pakistan in September.
The tour is crucial for the likes of Phil Jaques and Chris Rogers, who are duelling for the right to replace Test opener Justin Langer, and spin trio Stuart MacGill, Cullen Bailey and Dan Cullen, who will audition for the chance to replace Shane Warne.
"We are really excited to offer Stuart MacGill the opportunity to get experience in Pakistan and to have him work alongside two young spinners on an important development tour for them," Australian selection chairman Andrew Hilditch said.
With Australia's Test side to tour Pakistan early next year, any spinner who performs well on the A tour can expect to be invited back for the chance of greater glory.
There is a chance all three Australia A spinners could return with the Test touring squad because the competition behind them in the Pura Cup ranks is not strong.
- ROBERT CRADDOCK