Melbourne, Dec. 13: Australia’s key batsmen are likely to get fast bowler Brett Lee into the nets more aften than he would like in preparing themselves for the expected thunderbolts from South African pacer Dale Steyn during the forthcoming Test series Down Under.

Opener Mathew Hayden told the Daily Telegraph that Australia''s batsmen have asked Lee to work overtime to provide them with custom-made net practice ahead of their battle with Steyn.

Steyn, the world''s standout fast bowler with an astounding 60 Test wickets at 19.41 this year, has an aggressive style and outswing and has been likened to South African pace great Allan Donald.

However, Australia''s batsmen say Steyn is the doppelganger of Lee and they will tailor their practice to suit when they arrive in Perth today.

"He is very, very similar to Brett Lee. Our batters will certainly be shaping up against Binga (Lee) this week. It will be very important for us to face a fair bit of Binga, I think, considering he and Steyn have pretty similar sorts of styles and are a similar type of bowler,” said Hayden.

Hayden has already begun plotting the downfall of South Africa''s pace battery with specialized net sessions in Brisbane this week.

The 37-year-old has always been a stickler for preparation - once having a practice pitch especially dusted up to adjust to spinning pitches ahead of an Indian tour.

This week Hayden asked Australian fielding coach Mike Young to control the bowling machine, which he has had adjusted to different heights and angles.

Hayden has an imposing record against the Proteas, averaging 48.89 in 16 Tests, but the swing and pace of Steyn and Morne Morkel and the angle of Makhaya Ntini pose distinct challenges.

"It's no secret that I am a little bit different in my preparation in that I use bowling machines and that helps me with shapes and angles and paces,'' he said.

South Africa have a miserable record in Australia - never having won a Test series here in eight attempts dating back to 1910 - but they have a gilt-edged chance against an Australian side that has had plenty of wobbles in recent times.

Hayden expects the Test showdown to be the best seen here in many years. (ANI)