BRISBANE—Figures of 1-53 don't usually warrant a beaming grin from Australian speedster Brett Lee.
But the recovering quick couldn't be happier after day three of the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba on Saturday.
And it was not solely for the fact that his solitary second innings scalp marked his 300th Test wicket.
Lee, 32, became just the fourth Australian bowler to reach the milestone when he dismissed New Zealand opener Jamie How for a golden duck in the first over of the Black Caps' second innings.
While Lee described the milestone as a "sweet feeling", there were plenty more reasons to be thankful.
Lee is simply happy to be home after enduring a difficult four-Test tour of India where he nabbed just eight scalps at 61 - and a nasty case of food poisoning.
He is still to regain full strength but the confidence and rhythm is clearly back.
"I have been up against a brick wall in the past couple of months. I actually feel like I have turned the corner now," Lee said.
"Fitness feels really good. I feel like I am bowling back to where I want to be bowling.
"I wasn't happy on a whole with the Indian tour but that's behind me now. I'm back bowling in Australian conditions."
Lee was wounded after being regarded as the flop of the disastrous Indian series.
But the disappointment paled in comparison to the career hurdles Lee has already successfully overcome.
"There could have been times when I could have thrown in the towel and said it was too hard," Lee said.
"With the ankle surgery or elbow surgery, you break your back as a youngster and they say you will never be able to play cricket.
"They are things that just encourage me to keep going.
"I've got no doubt now that I will be back to where I was last year and hopefully even better.
"The 300 was a special feeling. I'd like to think that one day I will be sitting with 400 next to my name."
Lee had an anxious wait after moving to 299 Test wickets with an impressive 2-38 in New Zealand's first innings on Friday.
He didn't sweat it out for long once the Kiwis started their second dig - Lee broke through with the third ball of the innings.
"It's a sweet feeling to see the ball flying into Ricky (Ponting)'s hands, to know you've achieved that milestone," he said.
"I don't play the game for those reasons but ... it's a pat on the back for the hard work I have done over the last 10 years."
Factbox on Australia's leading wicket-takers after Brett Lee captured his 300th Test scalp in the first Test against New Zealand at the Gabba:
Bowler Wkts Tests Ave Best
- SK Warne 708 145 25.41 8-71
- GD McGrath 563 124 21.64 8-24
- DK Lillee 355 70 23.92 7-83
- B Lee 300 73* 30.34 5-30
- CJ McDermott 291 71 28.63 8-97
