Australian speedster Brett Lee says spotting an express fast bowler in Munaf Patel is good news for Indian cricket, but too much public attention could hamper his growth.
"There is a lot of buzz about Munaf. Getting behind him is well and good, but too much of media and public glare could hurt his career," said Lee, at the launch of 'Scorpio Speedster', a talent search programme for the fastest bowler in the country, in Delhi on Wednesday.
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"I have not seen him [Munaf] bowl, but a bowler bowling at 150 kmph is good news for Indian cricket," said the speed-demon, who is in India as the Brand Ambassador of Timex Billennium Watches.
The blonde Australian was a bit taken aback by the papparazzi and flash bulbs but retained his curiousity for the people and activity surrounding a cricketing celebrity.
Although Lee has visited the country twice before, it is the first time that he is coming as a star celebrity to the 'Final Frontier' which he will aim to conquer when he revisits India two months later.
Invariably, the talk turned to allegations of chucking that have plagued almost every fast bowler's career. Lee said the issue was a figment of people's imagination.
"That [the thinking] fast bowlers chuck is an optical illusion. People think 'we can't bowl at 150-160, so how do these guys do it'.
"I had my action scrutinised and then cleared... There is a lot of hyper extension and the wrist too plays an important role when you try to bowl fast.
"But, more importantly, people must realise that one can bowl fast," Lee said.
Lee was on the defensive when faced with the charge that Australians indulge in sledging a little bit too much.
"Sledging is rude when it becomes racist or the remarks are personal. But friendly banter is part and parcel of the game.
"People must realise we play fair and square. There have been one or two instances when it has got out of control but, overall, we enjoy good relations with all the teams on and off he field," he said.
But by Lee's own words, teams need not resort to sledging to win, and it had a very minor role to play in Australia's success in recent years.
"Winning is pretty basic. It is a habit, once you win you try to keep the momentum and continue on that.
"We just try to put our best performance whenever we step on to the field," he said.
On Australia's preparations for the forthcoming triangular one-day series in India, involving New Zealand as the third team, Lee said he had his homework done but everything depends on the day's performance.
"India's top six are the world's best and it is always a challenge to bowl to them. And Sachin [Tendulkar] is a world class player, you can't prepare for him easily.
"We do have our plans but I am not going to discuss them with you. Anyway, everything depends on the performance of the day."
