Lee targets 100 mph speed barrier

Fresh from destroying England with a scorching display of fast, swinging yorkers that skittled stumps all over Lord's to help Australia seal a series-clinching 4-0 lead with three ODIs remaining, Brett Lee has declared his goal of breaking the 100mph (160.93km/h) speed barrier.

That feat would be worth a fair sum for a fast bowler who has already earned three million dollars in the past 12 months, according to Forbes magazine.

Lee could not force his way back into the side for the Ashes series and his Test future remains unclear but the 32-year-old remains far more marketable than his bowling peers.

The combination of blond-haired, blue-eyed good looks and sheer speed is an irresistible combination for some brands.

To date, only Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar has broken the 100mph limit, clocking 100.2mph (161.3km/h) during a World Cup match against England in 2003.

Lee's fastest delivery was recorded at 99.8mph (160.7km/h) at the same tournament.

''I know I'm in the team to try and bowl fast, there's always talk about your age but I'm feeling really fit, probably the fittest I've ever felt,'' Lee said after taking 5-49 at Lord's on Saturday, clean-bowling four victims.

''I'm only 32 and I want to keep bowling in excess of 90mph for a long time yet but we'll wait and see what happens with the body," the Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.