Australian Speed star Brett Lee, who announced his retirement from international cricket Friday, played for his country for 13 years. Lee played in 76 Tests, 217 One-Day Internationals, and 25 Twenty20 games, donning the baggy green. He made his Test debut against India in the Boxing Day Test of the 1999-2000 series in Melbourne. The 35-year-old returned home early from Australia's recent one-day tour of England with a calf strain, the latest in a long line of injuries.
Lee quit longer version of cricket (Test cricket) in February 2010 and exits the one-day arena with 380 wickets - level with Glenn McGrath's Australia record - at an average of 23.36 from 221 matches.
"You get to the point in life where you say enough is enough," he said.
My ribs were black and blue. I had a busted arm. He'd tried to kill me. Whoever won, we were going to end up in the changing rooms talking about the game. We were mates. That's Test cricket.”
He had hoped to play in the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka later this year, but his final appearance came in the fourth one-day international against England at Chester-le-Street last week.
He will continue to play Australian domestic Twenty20 cricket and in the Indian Premier League.
"In a team environment you have to have 100% commitment, mentally and physically," Lee told Australia's Channel 9.
At his peak, Lee was arguably the best quick bowler in the world, and bowled the second-fastest recorded delivery of all time at 99.9mph in Napier, New Zealand, in 2005.
Australia national selector John Inverarity said: "Today one of Australia's most outstanding fast bowlers announced his retirement.”The statistics only tell part of the story. On top of this, and this is a significant part of his legacy, Brett inspired young Australians to play cricket and bowl fast."
Lee's career statistics:
Tests:
Matches: 76, Wickets: 310, Maidens: 547, Best bowling: 5-30, Bowling average: 30.82, Economy: 3.48
Runs (batting): 1,451, HS: 64, Batting average: 20.15
One-dayers:
Matches: 217, Wickets: 377, Maidens: 138, Best bowling: 5-22, Bowling average: 23.18, Economy: 4.77
Runs (batting): 1100, HS: 59, Batting average: 16.92
Twenty20 internationals:
Matches: 25 Wickets: 28 Best bowling: 3-23 Bowling average: 25.5 Economy: 7.86
Runs (batting): 101 HS: 43 not out Average: 16.83
New Delhi, July 13: Australian Speedstar Brett Lee, who announced his retirement from international cricket Friday, played for his country for 13 years. Lee played in 76 Tests, 217 One-Day Internationals, and 25 Twenty20 games, donning the baggy green. He made his Test debut against India in the Boxing Day Test of the 1999-2000 series in Melbourne. The 35-year-old returned home early from Australia's recent one-day tour of England with a calf strain, the latest in a long line of injuries.
Lee quit longer version of cricket (Test cricket) in February 2010 and exits the one-day arena with 380 wickets - level with Glenn McGrath's Australia record - at an average of 23.36 from 221 matches.
"You get to the point in life where you say enough is enough," he said. My ribs were black and blue. I had a busted arm. He'd tried to kill me. Whoever won, we were going to end up in the changing rooms talking about the game. We were mates. That's Test cricket.”
He had hoped to play in the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka later this year, but his final appearance came in the fourth one-day international against England at Chester-le-Street last week.
He will continue to play Australian domestic Twenty20 cricket and in the Indian Premier League.
"In a team environment you have to have 100% commitment, mentally and physically," Lee told Australia's Channel 9.At his peak, Lee was arguably the best quick bowler in the world, and bowled the second-fastest recorded delivery of all time at 99.9mph in Napier, New Zealand, in 2005.
Australia national selector John Inverarity said: "Today one of Australia's most outstanding fast bowlers announced his retirement.”The statistics only tell part of the story. On top of this, and this is a significant part of his legacy, Brett inspired young Australians to play cricket and bowl fast."
Lee's career statistics:
Tests:
Matches: 76, Wickets: 310, Maidens: 547, Best bowling: 5-30, Bowling average: 30.82, Economy: 3.48
Runs (batting): 1,451, HS: 64, Batting average: 20.15
One-dayers:
Matches: 217, Wickets: 377, Maidens: 138, Best bowling: 5-22, Bowling average: 23.18, Economy: 4.77
Runs (batting): 1100, HS: 59, Batting average: 16.92
Twenty20 internationals:
Matches: 25 Wickets: 28 Best bowling: 3-23 Bowling average: 25.5 Economy: 7.86
Runs (batting): 101 HS: 43 not out Average: 16.83
