Thursday, September 21 2006 10:39 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kuala Lumpur: The world's fastest bowler Brett Lee says new find Mitchell Johnson has raw pace that will make him a formidable asset in an Australian attack already boosted by the return of Glenn McGrath.

Johnson burst into the spotlight with a blistering four-wicket spell against India on Saturday (16 Sep, 2006) before returning to Australia as part of a pre-planned decision to slim down their squad at the DLF Cup here.

Lee, one of just two bowlers to have had deliveries officially recorded at more than 100 mph (160kph), himself returns to action after a long break, against the West Indies on Monday (18 Sep, 2006) and took three wickets.

He sees plenty of potential in Johnson.

"Mitchell's a fantastic find for Australia, he's an awesome bowler, a great bloke to go with it, loves to listen, he's learned so much over the past 12-18 months," says Lee.

"The way he bowled the other night was fantastic, so big things ahead for Mitchell Johnson."

"All the senior bowlers in the bowling cartel have tried to pass on a fair bit to the young guys."

"In particular I've told him that he's above all got the ability to bowl fast, so he should never lose that sight and that want to bowl fast, so now he knows he can do that and consistently, it's just a matter of practicing."

Lee, a peroxide blonde poster-boy celebrity who has taken a combined 451 wickets for Australia, is also excited by the return of McGrath after nine months off.



"He's taken close to 1,000 combined wickets for Australia, and his knowledge around the side is just brilliant, so it's great to have him back," he says.

"I've always enjoyed bowling with Glenn, he's always been a bowler that ties a batsman up, and gives me an opportunity to do the same thing down the other end."

"He's got that aura where batsmen are a bit wary of him, and that comes from a lot of hard work."

Lee and McGrath are expected to open Australia's attack against India in their limited overs game here on Friday (22 Sep, 2006).