Vivian Richards said that Australian Brett Lee is in the same league as the famed West Indies pace quartet.

According to the 'King', Lee is the most feared and intimidating bowler, much like Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall, Michael Holding and Curtly Ambrose.

Richards, would have seen many opposition batsmen trembling at the sight of his fearsome pace attack, said that he sees the same fire in Brett Lee today.

"I think he's certainly up there with those guys (Marshall, Holding, Garner and Ambrose)," Richards was quoted as saying by the Australian media.

The Aussie quick became the fastest bowler to claim 300 wickets in ODI cricket when he reached the milestone in his 171st match, against West Indies - 15 games earlier than previous record holder Waqar Younis of Pakistan.

Impressed with the 31-year-old Australian spearhead's consistency, Richards said he was astonished by the fitness levels maintained by Lee.

"What I have been impressed more than anything in Brett Lee is his fitness, and no matter what time of the day you call on Brett Lee, he's going to be 100 per cent," Richards said.