Cricket: Brett's back, and he's hot

* 22 wickets in 12 ODIs against NZ

Say what you like about Australia's much-maligned rotation system, it doesn't seem to have done Brett Lee any harm.

The Australian pace spearhead will play his 100th one-day international if he is picked for today's match at the Cake Tin in Wellington.

And he appears to be in the frame of mind to celebrate in style.

A victim of injury and selectors' caution earlier in the summer, Lee has bounced back to some of his best form since gaining a recall, often stopping the speed radar in the mid-150km/h range.

Although he had only four overs in Thursday's shrunken version of the game, the New South Wales fast tearaway looked to be in impressive form, and seems certain to create problems for the New Zealand batsmen throughout the tour.

"When I was 10 or 12, I always wanted to play one game for Aussie, but the chance to play 100 in the green and gold is the most amazing thing, and hopefully that might happen in this next match," Lee said yesterday.

"But I'm pretty proud to say I've played 99 games for Australia anyway."

New Zealand usually struggle against any type of quality bowling, and have found genuine pace particularly difficult.

They have a telling record against the top fast bowlers.

Lee has taken 22 wickets in a dozen ODIs against New Zealand at 20.59, Shoaib Akhtar has taken 32 in 18 at 19.81, Mohammad Sami has 25 in 14 at 23.52 and even the more moderately-paced Makhaya Ntini has 27 in 16 at 21.70.

But if Lee knows of the Black Caps' weakness, he was keeping quiet about it yesterday, suggesting the home side's batting line-up was more than capable of handling the heat.

He nominated Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle as two batsmen who could play off the back foot, then gave the entire top order the thumbs-up, claiming he and his fellow bowlers "will really have our work cut out".

For all that, the diplomacy is likely to end abruptly in Wellington today.

Lee says he is feeling as good as he did when he exploded on to the international scene in the 1999-2000 summer.

He said he was excited about his fitness and the rhythm with which he was bowling.

"The rhythm's certainly there and the pace is definitely back, which is a great thing," he said.

"It's obviously been hard over the past eight months but in that last series in Australia I reckon I was bowling the quickest I have for a long time.

"So I'm very excited and looking forward to having another good series over here."

Lee was delighted to see the ball moving in the air at Eden Park on Thursday. He hoped that would continue throughout the series, and that the bowling attack would exploit the advantage.

The last time he was here - his first overseas tour in 1999-2000 - the 28-year-old paceman took 18 test wickets at 17.44, to help his side to a 3-nil clean sweep.

"I really enjoyed last time I toured here in 2000," he said. "It was my first overseas tour and I had a lot of fun over here.

"I've had some success here in the past, and I guess that's one of the reasons I'm pleased to be back.

"Hopefully, with the guys playing well, we'll be able to go home with a series win."