Brett Lee

Profile

One of the fastest bowlers in the world, Brett Lee once held the capacity to bowl a delivery at 160 kph that would be a dreadful sight for most batsmen to watch.

“Binga” as he is fondly known, made his Test debut in 1999 against India at the MCG and almost intimidated the Indian batters with his fiery pace, finishing with a 5-wicket haul in the first innings. The New South Wales seamer is capable of bowling lethal quick bouncers and the well disguised slower ball is a great asset in his armoury, along with the disastrous yorker delivery. Lee has a knack of swinging the ball both ways when it’s new and reverse it when it’s old. With a charging run-up and aggressive on-field antics, it was evident that the kind of impact he made was a long-lasting one. His most successful era came under Ponting’s captaincy, where he developed smarter and better ways of bowling at opponents and matured into an exemplary bowler.

In a career that spanned over a decade of speedy spells, Lee was part of the most devastating bowling attack in the Aussie camp, along with Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie. But when McGrath retired, he did an excellent job of spearheading his nation's pace attack, and his Test and ODI record justified that claim. However, fast bowlers are always prone to injuries and Lee has been no exception. With frequent injuries of the elbow and ankle, side strains and stress fractures, his career began to take a U-turn and soon, Lee gave up his baggy green, announcing retirement in early 2010 with a view to prolong his ODI and T20 career. With 310 wickets in 76 appearances, Lee ended his Test career on a high note and continues to flourish in the shorter format.

Fast Facts

• Brett Lee is Australia’s second highest wicket-taker in ODIs.
• Lee was recognized as Australia’s Test Player of the Year in 2008.
• He became the first bowler in the history of Twenty20 International cricket to take a hat-trick.

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Career

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