KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 20: 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 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 returned to action after a long break, against the West Indies on Monday 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,” said 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 said.

“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 on Friday.

Meanwhile, Adam Gilchrist looms large in the life of Brad Haddin but Australia's second-choice wicketkeeper tries hard not to think about when the 34-year-old will retire.

If he does, his form suffers.

Several years ago, shortly after making his one-day debut in January 2001, he began to ponder life beyond Gilchrist and paid the consequences.

“I haven't thought too much about it, I probably thought a bit about it a few years back and it probably affected my performance, now I just concentrate on doing what works for me, if the opportunity arises then so be it,” he said.

“Adam's a world class athlete and I do everything I can to prepare to play cricket for New South Wales or Australia, and if I spend too much time worrying about what Adam's doing, it'll affect my performance.”

Gilchrist is being rested for the current tri-series with India and the West Indies and Haddin has seized his chance by the scruff of the neck, cracking a career-best 70 against the West Indies on Monday.

It bore all the hallmarks of a staunch middle-order fighter, as much in the fashion of Ian Healy as the free-hitting Gilchrist.

His glovework has also been polished, after working on his technique with the legendary Healy.

“I'm not too fussed where I bat, I've batted (in) many different spots with the state side, and with this team I fit in at seven at the moment,” said Haddin, 28, who still has age on his side to have a lengthy international career.

“My number one job is to wicket keep, and the opportunities to bat I take those wherever I can whether it be from one to 11, so I'm just enjoying having an extended run.”

Last month Gilchrist said he was looking at remaining in cricket beyond next year's World Cup in the Caribbean after earlier indicating that he might quit and spend more time with his young family.

He requires 41 more dismissals to usurp Healy at the top of the Test wicket-keeping list.

—AFP