After missing out on an international cricket title this year, Australian speedster Brett Lee is hoping for a change of luck at the Twenty20 World Championship in September.
The opening fast bowler visited Port Macquarie on Wednesday and conducted an afternoon coaching clinic with the area's promising juniors, before joining former Test stars Steve Rixon and Len Pascoe for a "sports talk" dinner at the Town Green Inn.
Lee was absent from April's World Cup, due to a serious ankle injury, but has been named in Australia's 15-man squad for South Africa.
The paceman, who boasts Test and One-Day International averages of 31.60 and 22.65 respectively, will form a lethal attack with the likes of Shaun Tait, Stuart Clark, Nathan Bracken, Shane Watson and Mitchell Johnson.
"I'm looking forward to partnering Shaun," he told the Port News.
"It's a great feeling.
"A lot's been said in the media about my combination with Shaun, but selectors have chosen a good pace barrage when you also take in Stuart, Nathan, Shane and Mitchell.
"We're treating the Twenty 20 World Championship seriously.
"It was disappointing to miss the World Cup victory, so this is my chance to win one."
Lee, who has captured more than 500 first class wickets in his stellar career, is slowly getting back to his best û and confident he'll be fine by the time Australia meets Zimbabwe in the opening round on September 12.
"I'm back to full training, and bowling at around 70 per cent," Lee admitted.
"So, it's like a normal pre-season for me.
"However, it was great to have time off and the spell did my body well."
Equal with Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar as the fastest in the world, at a flicker around 160km per hour, Lee freely acknowledges the roles coaches play û and was keen to impart that knowledge onto the Hastings' finest.
"I've had some great coaches in my time, from my dad and my brother Shane, to current mentor Troy Cooley," he said.
"My advice to the younger players is 'have fun'.
"That's what cricket is all about.
"It's my first trip to the region, so it was a good opportunity to meet the locals and help the kids out."
- ROD THOMPSON