Lee tipped to break speed record

Australian firebrand Brett Lee has every chance of smashing the world fast bowling record in the second Test against the West Indies this weekend, speed legend Dennis Lillee predicted Wednesday.

Lillee (355 Test wickets) and WACA Ground curator Richard Winter both said they believed Lee, 24, could exceed the 160.4 kph (99.5 mph) recorded by Australian Jeff Thomson in Melbourne in 1975.

"It would be no surprise at all if Brett shatters the record. He's a great guy, a great bowler amd has pace to burn. If he gets out there and the rhythm is right, anything can happen," Lillee said.

Winter said that if Lee bowled from the river (southern) end of the ground with the south-westerly breeze (known locally as "the Fremantle Doctor", because of its cooling qualities on hot days) at his back, there was every chance he could exceed 161kph (100mph).

"I expect he would be licking his lips now and looking forward to getting out there," Winter said.

"The previous time he bowled here, about a year ago, he was so fast, he was scarey. That's the only word to describe it.

"People in the stadium that day were really scared for the safety of the batsmen, especially the tailenders."

Lee's thunderbolts struck a number of players, including veteran former Test fast bowler Jo Angel, whose arm was broken.

Lillee also predicted that Glenn McGrath, who needs only two more wickets to become the third Australian to top 300 Test wickets, could emerge -- at least statistically -- as the greatest bowler of all time.

McGrath spoke the previous day of his wish eventually to capture a phenomenal 500 Test wickets -- 17 more than the current world record held by the West Indies Courtney Walsh.

Lillee said: "McGrath could end up being the greatest bowler of all time. If he keeps himself as fit as he is now, he could go on and get 550 or 600 wickets."

Mail Cricket Editor