SYDNEY, Oct 30 AAP - Under pressure for his spot, Brett Lee is ready to prove he has lost none of the pace that made him one of the world's most feared bowlers.

Lee responded positively today to a warning from chief selector Trevor Hohns who has expressed disappointment in his form and says he needs to "get out there and bowl fast".

The 25-year-old faces a stiff challenge from hometown paceman Andy Bichel for his place in the Australian attack in the first Test against England at the Gabba in eight days.

But Lee expects the return to Australian conditions to bring out his best after struggling through a lean spell, particularly in the recent 3-0 series win over Pakistan in Colombo and Sharjah.

With temperatures reaching 53 degrees and humidity up to 97 per cent in Sharjah, he was forced to curb his pace and was out-bowled by Bichel in the final two Tests.

That prompted Hohns' warning that Lee must bowl flat out to warrant a place in the side and the speedster has promised to do just that.

"Pace is my biggest asset and that's what I'll be taking into this series," Lee said.

"It was very hot over there and they are flat wickets - sometimes you do have to pull your pace back a bit so, coming back to Australian wickets, it will be a lot better.

"I'll be bowling the way I have been bowling lately. The pitches will be a lot faster and I'll obviously be bowling a lot quicker back at home.

"The Australian wickets suit my bowling a lot more than the Sharjah wickets and I'll be excited if I get the chance to play at the Gabba.

Lee's average in Brisbane is 18.4 from two Test appearances and, despite a difficult recent series, his confidence heading into the international summer remains intact, particularly as he was the joint leading wicket taker against New Zealand and South Africa at home last year.

"There are times when people go through a lean period in their career but I know deep down inside that I am bowling well so its just a matter of when its going to turn," he said.

He'd been encouraged by captain Steve Waugh who told him he would get a lot of wickets this season if he continued to bowl as he had recently.

Lee made an explosive start to his Test career, but after taking 42 wickets in seven Tests at an average of 16.07 he was forced to undergo elbow surgery.

In the 17 Tests since he has taken just 47 wickets, but Lee played down the statistics.

"Its very hard to keep going at (an average of) 16 as a Test bowler," he said.

"If I am lucky enough to get the opportunity come the first Test I will certainly be going out there firing.

Unlike senior paceman Glenn McGrath, Lee chooses not to nominate a key English batsman he will target.

"I don't target any batsman, I target every batsman."

Lee will play for NSW this week and has the backing of Blues coach Steve Rixon, who feels that now that Lee's Australian team role has been clarified, opting for pace rather than control, he will shine once again.

"You need someone a little bit different and he supplies that with raw pace," he said.

"Pace on wickets that bounce is very, very difficult to play."

Lee was speaking at the launch of the Travelex Cricket Roadshow, which will take five trophies won by Australia, including the 1987 and 1999 World Cups, for the public to see round the country.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.