Melbpurne, July 2 : West Indian batting legend Vivian Richards feels Australian bowler Brett Lee is the most fiery pacer cricket has seen after the intimidating Caribbean quartet of Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Michael Holding and Curtly Ambrose.

Richards, along with his predecessor Clive Lloyd, unleashed some of the most frightening bowlers of all time in Malcolm Marshall, Joel Garner, Michael Holding and Curtly Ambrose during the Windies' world domination of the 1980s and early 90s.

But the Master Blaster, who rates former Aussie quick Jeff Thompson as the fastest bowler he ever faced, believes Lee on his day has the ability to strike just as much fear into the hearts of batsmen.

"I think he's certainly up there with those guys," The Age quoted Richards, as saying.

"I think it is hard to assess what took place from then to now ... but I think when he's called upon to do it, he's just as good as any," he added.

Lee, who has been clocked at more than 160 km/h, became the fastest bowler to 300 one-day international wickets in Australia's series-clinching victory over the Windies in Grenada on Sunday.

He reached the mark in his 171st game, 15 quicker than Waqar Younis (186).

Barring injury, the 31-year-old will join Glenn McGrath as the only Australian to take 300 wickets in both Test and one-day cricket by the end of the year, with Lee needing just 11 scalps away from the milestone in the five-day arena.

ANI