
Patience pays off for Lee
It’s batsmen who usually reach their peak at his age but at 31, Brett Lee seems to be bowling as well as he ever has. After bursting on to the scene as one who would bowl at a breakneck pace, he couldn’t have matured at a better time either, playing the senior bowler’s role to perfection after the retirement of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne.
The most striking part about the fast bowler from New South Wales has been his consistency and he is consistently clocking over 140 kmph and even hurling the odd one at over 150. Forty wickets in six Tests against Sri Lanka and India this summer, he has carried that form into the one-day games as well.
“I don’t really see any difference in my bowling. I just think it comes down to a number of things. I am more patient than I have been. That’s something that I have worked on and concentrating on, especially this summer,” Lee said on Saturday, when asked about the change he has undergone in recent times.
“I think it's got something to do with the opportunity as well. The chance to take the new ball in Test cricket, having the choice of ends, leading the Australian attack — something I had always dreamed of — I am just enjoying it and having fun.
Lee attributed his success to the standards Australians set for themselves. “We set the bar very, very high and don’t accept playing second-string cricket. We want to keep improving.”
According to him, it’s a question of not being satisfied. “You never ever get to a point in your life where you feel happy and feel the whole standard is set. We all try and keep raising that bar.”
But bowling fast days in and days out in the days of endless cricket must take its toll on his body. So how does he plan to take a break and recharge batteries? “It’s just a matter of seeing how the body feels and what’s happening in the tournament too. It’s always good to go from Tests to ODIs because you are only bowling 10 overs."
And although Australia have started on a positive note, Lee felt there was still a lot to test himself against. “Jayasuriya, Sangakkara, Tendulkar, Dhoni… There are world-class players in both sides. Our bowling has been brilliant, but we’ve got a lot ahead of us. If we win tomorrow, the momentum will be sky-high going into Perth against Sri Lanka.” Good memories of Perth they have, but the Indians wouldn't mind that they don't have a ODI there against Australia.

Vijay Hazare Trophy: Mumbai continue dominant show, beat Rajasthan
- This was Mumbai's fourth successive win, having earlier defeated Delhi, Maharashtra and Puducherry.

Have utmost respect for Yuvi paa: Ashwin on Yuvraj’s tweet

Vijay Hazare Trophy: Prerak Mankad slams 174 as Saurashtra thrash Chandigarh
- Mankad, 26, plundered six sixes and 16 fours in his knock from 130 balls to propel Saurashtra to a massive 388 for 7.

Langer said media leaks on coaching style 'was pretty rough' on his family

The mentality of this Indian team is like Australia in the 90s: Darren Gough
- India vs England: As far as India’s performance goes, Gough sees a lot of the mighty Australia that dominated cricket in the late 90s and 2000s in the current Indian team and its thought process.

'Some extreme criticism not really fair,' Gavaskar weighs in on pitch debate

Motera may escape ICC 'Red Eye' as 4th Test pitch promises to be batting beauty

Road Safety World Series: India name star-studded squad, Sachin-Sehwag to open

NZ vs Aus: Third and fourth T20I to be played behind closed doors

'I'll call him a legend when I meet him next': Harbhajan lauds India bowler
- India vs England: Harbhajan Singh did not hold back his praise for the India bowler and his contribution towards the Indian team over the years.

Who can replace Finch as Australia T20 captain? Chappell names 3 picks

'Didn't report spot-fixing approach as I thought it won't remain confidential'
- Akmal was initially banned for three years from all cricket activities on February 20 last year for not reporting approaches made to him for spot-fixing in the Pakistan Super League.

BCCI announces India women's ODI and T20I squads for South Africa series

'They were either bowled or LBW': Sachin's praise for 'brilliant' India bowler
- Indian spinners combined to pick up 19 wickets against England in the third Test in Ahmedabad.
