Australia’s pace sensation Brett Lee to hang up his spikes?
After having two of my all time cricketing heroes, Darren Gough and Andrew Flintoff, either retire or hang up their boots from Test cricket I was still happy that my overseas favourite was still very much an international star. Now it may come as a surprise to you that my overseas hero is Brett Lee, but I admire everything he does in the game. But now it seems his career may also be curtailed.
Following sitting out the early part of this year while recovering from foot and ankle surgery, Lee then endured a side strain early in the Ashes tour. However, he showed the world what they had been missing with outstanding performances against England in the ODIs, Australia’s Champions Trophy triumph prior to being made man-of-the-series as New South Wales captured the first Champions League Twenty20 title. Injury cruelly struck the 33 year old again, as an elbow injury forced him out of the ODIs against India in October, an injury that may spell the end of his career.
Lee has stated that “I need to get away from the game, get this elbow right and then I’ll make a call on my future”.
It would be a great loss to not just cricket in Australia but international cricket if Lee did have to call it a day. I admire the way he approaches the game, fired up and in your face on the field but the first to congratulate you once play has ended, exactly how the game should be played.
His level of expertise is just outstanding as well, not only is his bowling enigmatic but his batting has also been a thorn in many teams’ sides. Just look back to the Ashes in 2005 and ‘that’ photo of Andrew Flintoff commiserating with him after his knock of 43 not out took Australia from the brink of defeat to a chance of victory.
Nevertheless, it is his bowling he will always be remembered by with 310 Test wickets and claiming 324 victims at ODI level. Having to play second fiddle to Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne for much of his international career this isn’t a bad haul, is it? Also, any fast bowler out there cannot say they have never thought in their mind, while trying to put in an extra fast ball, let’s give them the Brett Lee ball. No? Just me then!
I just hope he gets to add to the wicket column in the future, as he brings excitement and of course speed to any match he participates in.
“If I don’t play another game for Australia again or play another game of cricket again, I’m very pleased with what I’ve achieved.”
And so you should Brett, what a gentleman of the game.
November 18th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
He will follow Flintoff’s example and play only in the shorter formats.
November 19th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Brett Lee is a great player, and his absence in the Ashes this year was probably the main reason that England won the series. If he had played it would have been a very different story…
November 19th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Brett Lee has always been one of the greatest bowlers but like you said, always in the shadow of McGrath & Warne. I have watched him live many times and the sense of anticipation when he makes his run up is an indication of how cricket as a whole and the batsmen facing him respect this man.
It would be a sad day for cricket if he hangs up his shoes.
May 16th, 2010 at 9:38 am
bret is a fabulous player he shouldn’t have retired
June 28th, 2010 at 3:52 pm
brett lee
he is an awesome bowler and i luv him very much
even my home mets luv him very much.i lyk his attitude, respect towards indian culture,dressed in kudtaas and visiting temples;etc.
though he retires frm international cricket he is ready 4 bollywood to act.
so lets encourage him in dat way