The snick of an outside edge or the "death rattle" of the ball hitting the stumps are usually the best sounds for Australian pace bowler Brett Lee.

But as Lee ripped into the South Australian lineup for New South Wales last Sunday, he was most happy with what was going on several metres behind the stumps.

The resounding slap every time a Lee delivery hit the gloves of wicketkeeper Nathan Pilon signified he had regained the most precious asset for an express pace bowler - rhythm.

Lee's 5-56 in the second innings of the Pura Cup cricket match meant he retained his spot in the Australian team for next month's first Test against New Zealand in Brisbane.

"Certainly in the first (innings), I was 85-90 per cent," Lee said of the SA match.

"In the second, it felt about 100 per cent, it felt very good.

"The ball was really slapping into the `keeper's hands and I felt very confident out there."

Lee needed a "bag" of wickets after a trying few months.

Returning from elbow surgery, Lee struggled on the Ashes tour with the low, slow English wickets.

He then had a late start to the season because of a side muscle injury.

"You don't have to be Einstein to work out the last tour for me was not my best," he said.

"I knew I had to go out there and try to prove myself and take a few wickets.

"I was just out there to try to do what I've done over the last couple of seasons, play well for NSW."

Now he is thinking about destroying batting line-ups again, rather than regaining form, Lee can also focus on renewing his duel with Kiwi batsman Chris Cairns.

The big-hitting New Zealander smashed an outstanding straight-hit six off Lee the last time they met and, true to form as a fast bowler, the Australian feels he owes Cairns one.

"I have the utmost respect for Chris Cairns, he's a fantastic cricketer and we've had a few duels over the last couple of years," Lee said.

"He hit me for a massive six the last time we played them, so I'm after a bit of revenge this time."

Lee had a month and a half off bowling before the start of this season to work on his fitness, specifically the core strength in his abdominals and back muscles.

That included surf skiing at the beach, while he also sought out Australian fast-bowling legend Dennis Lillee for advice.

Lillee had Lee work on being more upright at his delivery stride, which the younger paceman said had helped him generate more bounce.

© 2001 AAP