SYDNEY: Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee announced on Thursday his pending retirement from all forms of cricket after a 20-year career.

The 38-year-old Lee stopped playing internationally in July 2012, but had been a Twenty20 regular, both in the Indian Premier League and the domestic competition in Australia.

His Sydney Sixers have one Big Bash regular-season match remaining, against cross-town rivals the Sydney Thunder next Thursday at the Sydney Cricket Ground ahead of a possible finals clash.

“When that last ball’s bowled I’ll walk off happy and content,” Lee said. “I’m excited, I’m emotional, I’m happy, but I’m certainly not worried because I know that I’ve made the right call.”

His fastest delivery cracked the 161 kilometres per hour mark (100 miles per hour), with the blond speedster consistently bowling at 150kph over 20 years, making him a fearsome opponent through his sheer pace and toe-crushing inswinging yorkers.

“He has been an exceptional cricketer who gained fans around the world not only for his electrifying pace and performances with the ball, but the way that he played the game,” said Cric­ket Australia chief James Sutherland.

“Sir Donald Bradman often said that it is a player’s responsibility to leave the game in a better state than when they first became involved. Brett Lee has certainly done that.”

Lee remains the equal leading wicket-taker for Austr­alia in One-day Internationals with Glenn McGrath, with 380 in 221 appearances. Lee also took 310 wickets in 76 Tests for Australia.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2015

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