Injuries and selection dramas have dented the first half of Brett Lee's career but now as the leader of the Australian attack, he feels he can realistically aim for 100 Tests.

Lee says with the balance of Australia's attack at the moment, he can slot into a role as a shock bowler which would allow him to use his sheer pace to best effect and also preserve himself for a longer career.

"To play 50 Tests for Australia is a dream," Lee said at the team's hotel in Cape Town after taking five wickets in Australia's seven-wicket win in the first Test against South Africa last week.

"That was a great feeling to walk out (at Cape Town) knowing I'm playing in my 50th Test match.

"It would be nice to play 50 more but we won't get too far ahead of ourselves.

"Not a lot of people for Australia have actually got the chance to play 50 Test matches so I consider myself very lucky as well."

Lee took 3-37 and 2-47 in 31.5 overs, combining with Stuart Clark who took nine wickets on debut and Michael Kasprowicz (three) alongside leg-spinner Shane Warne (three).

"I felt really good, the body was great," said Lee, 29.

"The majority of the time I'm going to be used a shock bowler.

"Fifty Test matches over five or six years is a definite possibility. That's making sure, too, that I'm being looked after and looking after myself.

"I think about what's happened over the past 50 Tests and what it's meant to get through those 50 Tests.

"If I wasn't injured and had that time I could possibly have played 60 or 70 Tests by now. If I can keep doing well and the opportunities are there, we'll see how I'm going in three or four years."

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