Lee empahasises on virtue of patience

Melbourne, Dec 27 (UNI) Aussie pace spearhead Brett Lee today emphasised the importance of patience as an essential ingredient of success.

''In our team meetings ... we've been talking about being so patient, especially on this MCG wicket,'' Lee said.

''It's a very low, slow wicket, so patience is probably what we're after and building up momentum and patience from each end.'' Lee, who blasted the Indian batting, claiming four wickets during their first innings on the second day of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, took his tally to 251. He now occupies the sixth spot on the list of Test wicket takers for Australia.

The tearaway from New South Wales cautioned against complacency, ''When the times are going good, you have to look back and think 'well, okay, I did spend 18 months away from the side, being 12th man.'' ''I couldn't get a game, so you appreciate the hard times that you've been through and then you appreciate the good times as well,'' he added.

''I'm happy with the way the ball is coming out currently, I'm being patient, the body is feeling great.

''Missing the World Cup (this year), it was pretty painful.

Mentally and physically, I'm in a great state of mind.'' Lee praised the efforts of fellow Aussie pacer Mitchell Johnson.

''Mitchell Johnson bowled brilliantly this morning, I thought,'' he said.''He could have easily had two- or three-for.'' Australia go into the third day of the MCG Test with a distinct after bowling out India for 196 in their first innings.

UNI