Brett Lee in training at the SCG ahead of the Big Bash League. Picture: Brett Costello Source: News Limited
FIERY quick Brett Lee is building up steam ahead of the third edition of the Big Bash League and says he is itching to get his cricket fix in.
The 37-year-old hasn't played competitive cricket since the Indian Premier League season ended more than seven months ago, but the break has made him "super keen" to get back into the Sydney Sixers' magenta strip.
Lee has spent the last few weeks commentating on the Ashes series and admits watching so closely made him miss some aspects of playing the game.
"Doing the commentary stuff for Channel Nine on the cricket the last couple of Test matches has actually made me miss being in that team environment," Lee said.
"I haven't missed Test cricket or ODI cricket because it was my idea to step away and to call it a day there. But to still be playing Twenty20 cricket at a very competitive level I still get my cricket fix in, which is nice."
Lee tried to set up a bowling date with another former Test great Michael Hussey, but their conflicting commentary commitments meant they couldn't find a time.
Brett Lee checks on Brendon McCullum after he was hit by a ball. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Limited
Instead, he will continue his preparations this week in the nets at the WACA before heading back to Sydney for the start of the campaign.
At his prime Lee regularly hit bowling speeds of 160km and while he may not be able to reach those figures now, he is still quick enough to terrify the Big Bash batsmen.
"I've been training five days a week now for close to 12 weeks," he said.
"I'm super keen for this season. It's been a long time since playing in the last game of the IPL, so it's been a good break in terms of cricket, but there's been plenty of time to get the body right.
"I've been doing all the stuff behind the scenes from a non-bowling point of view and doing the gym workouts five days a week over the last 12 weeks. I think it has been a great build up and great preparation."
The Sixers' campaign begins with the huge Sydney Smash next weekend, when the new-look Thunder side make the short trip across to the SCG.
Hussey is just one of their new recruits this season, but they also boast the talents of Tillakaratne Dilshan, Eoin Morgan, Ajantha Mendis and David Warner.
After struggling in the previous two seasons, Lee believes the Thunder will be a different prospect this time.
"They certainly have assembled a fierce squad," he said.
"We know they've got a great squad on paper. They obviously didn't play the way they wanted to last year, but they've changed stuff around, they've changed staff and players too. They'll be looking to dominate this year and actually get a few wins on the board."
The Sixers go into the game with a far superior record, but Lee insists the pressure will be on both teams to perform.
"We'll be under the pump against them because people expect us to win against the Thunder," he said.
"They haven't had a great record, but then obviously I think the pressure is on them as well now because they've got a good squad and they're expected to go out there and play well. So there's pressure on both teams."
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