SYDNEY, Nov 22: Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has said that he and Pakistani paceman Shoaib Akhtar are “great mates”. He gives lot of kids a lot of joy when he steams in, pushing off sightscreen, his hair flapping in the wind.

“It’s like good old days when Thommo (Jeff Thomson) used to bowl. There’s certainly no speed contest. In the World Cup Shoaib bowled at 161.3kph (100.8mph), so he holds the title which sits great with me”, Lee said in an interview when asked how does he get on with Pakistan’s fast bowler.

Asked whether he was fastest now or can get faster still?, he replied “How long’s a piece of string? I’m sure I can bowl quicker. They’ve done studies that show a fast bowler doesn’t reach his peak strength until he’s about 29.

“So next three years of my life are my big three years. I’m doing everything I can to get that extra yard of pace. I’m doing a lot more sand running. I’m doing weights which are specific to bowling fast. I’m taking care of my body, eating right stuff.

“I can bowl a lot longer. And I’m running quicker too, because I’ve been doing all this sprint work. So if that’s the case - if I’m stronger, fitter and quicker - then I’m going to bowl faster”.

Whether he has set a goal? “If I’m lucky enough to bowl 161 or 162kph (100mph), I’ll be proud. But I’d give it all back to take a few wickets in a Test match”, said Lee.

When Ricky Ponting replaced Waugh as one-day captain he very publicly ordered you to slow down and tighten up. Was that a turning point?

“It was a tough time. I’d had Steve my whole life telling me to run in and bowl quick, just enjoy it. And then Ricky came in and said he wanted me to hold back my pace, to make sure I’m not going for so many runs.

“I went into a few games thinking “I don’t really know what the captain wants.” I was a bit hesitant. I was thinking don’t bowl a wide, don’t get hit for four. So of course I got hit for four. Now I’m thinking let’s do things I do best. Let’s bowl fast and straight”.

When you play for Australia, what goes through your head? “It’s like having your 21st birthday each time you walk out. It’s huge. I’m a pretty quiet person off the field, I think I’m pretty gentle.

“But as soon as I’m on field my whole character changes. I step into a different mode. And that’s something I love doing. I love coming out of my shell when I’m playing cricket”, Lee said.—PPI