Brett Lee says he would like to become the first modern fast bowler to break through the 160kph barrier - but he's not going to make it a goal. Lee was timed at 157.4kph on the first day of the current Test at Newlands - the fastest speed recorded since reasonably reliable measuring devices became a feature at big matches. "If it happens, it happens," said Lee. "You tend to bowl your fastest when you are not trying to bowl fast."

But he said he would be proud if he went through the 160 mark, which equates to the old 100mph barrier. "Speed is my biggest asset," he said.

Lee twice went past 157kph on Friday. His fastest delivery was bowled to Neil McKenzie in the 17th over, but Lee said he was unaware of the speed flashed on a board at the ground until he was told about it during the lunchbreak.

The previous fastest recorded delivery was 157.2kph by Pakistan's Shoaib Akhtar in a one-day match against Australia in Cardiff in June 2001. Ironically, Lee played in that match, conceding 85 runs off 10 overs, the most by an Australian in a one-day game.

Former Australian fast bowler Jeff Thomson was timed at 160.5kph (99.7mph) during the 1970s when timing devices were less reliable. Even the modern machines are subject to scepticism. Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist said he wasn't aware of Lee generating extraordinary pace on Friday. "I don't want to steal anyone's thunder," said Gilchrist, "but sometimes you take a delivery you think is quick but it only shows up as 145kph. Other times it shows a high figure when you don't think it was that quick."

But Per Henri Johnson, a spokesman for the manufacturers, said the system in use at Newlands was "based on proven military technology", and had been accepted for use by the United States Army. The same system is used for measuring bowlers' speeds in India, West Indies, Sri Lanka and England.

Johnson said the measurements were accurate to within 1%. He said the speed measured was when the ball left the bowler's hand, and not the average speed over the pitch distance.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd