Port Elizabeth, Mar 10: Two of the fastest bowlers at the World Cup will go head to head when reigning champions Australia take on New Zealand in their super six match at Port Elizabeth tomorrow. Australia's Brett Lee has been making waves by threatening the 100mph barrier but, in Shane Bond, New Zealand have an express quick of their own.
Throughout cricket history the fast men have been valued not just for their ability to take wickets, but for how they can intimidate the opposition. Australia captain Ricky Ponting is well aware of Lee's capacity to test batsmen's physical courage and, after employing his pace to target Sri Lanka captain Sanath Jayasuriya, is threatening to use him in the same away against Kiwi captain Stephen Fleming.
Lee, 26, had the good fortune to come into a team already regarded as the best in the world. While pace colleagues Glenn Mcgrath and Jason Gillespie had tormented international batsmen for several years previously with their accuracy and movement, Lee's raw pace gave the Australia attack a new dimension.
His on-field aggression quickly made Lee a crowd favourite although, like many out-and-out quicks he initially struggled with his accuracy.
His waywardness prompted many pundits to consider him a liability for one-day cricket.
Bureau Report