Brett Lee insists Australia are ready to extend their dominance of international cricket into the ICC World T20 arena.

The Aussies, who for a generation have ruled in Tests and one-dayers, have an inauspicious record in the shortest form of the game.

But having swatted Bangladesh and New Zealand aside in their warm-up games, fast bowler Lee says the time has come for Australia to flex their muscles on the T20 stage.

"We're very excited"

"We are happy with how we are playing on the Test front, in 50-over cricket we're very happy but in Twenty20 our record isn't great," said Lee.

"But it's Twenty20, anything can happen so we're very excited and we'll be trying our hardest. We take every series seriously, we took the warm-up matches seriously and come Saturday we'll be firing on all cylinders and raring to go."

Australia open their campaign against West Indies at The Oval later today, and Lee is in no doubt where their chief threat lies.

Skipper Chris Gayle may have moped through the recent Test series in England, but Lee knows the big-hitter will be looking to make his mark on the tournament.

"With Chris Gayle you have to try to get him out early, otherwise he is going to hurt you," said Lee.

"He's a bit like Andrew Symonds, he can actually turn a game on its head at any stage and win a match for his country. He's a great player so we have to make sure we knock him over early."