Today in 2010: Brett Lee announces retirement from Test cricket
Time and injuries finally caught up with Australia fast bowler Brett Lee as he announced his retirement from Test cricket on this day in 2010.
It had been two years since the New South Wales pacemen had played in the long format of the game due to a number of niggles, with a side strain keeping him out of the 2009 series in which England reclaimed the Ashes on home soil.
Lee made his decision after speaking to his friend and former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, who himself had quit Test cricket after that Ashes win.
At his peak he was one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket and is still third on the all-time list of fastest deliveries in Test cricket, behind only Shoaib Akhtar and Shaun Tait.
“I’m not 21, I’m 33. Trying to bowl at 150kph (93mph) for five days is very hard on the body,” he said.
“As far as my cricket goes, anything is possible – I may play one-dayers, or no cricket at all. I may never bowl another ball and if that’s the case, I’m so satisfied with my career and my longevity.
“I’m not saying it’s definitely over, but I’m not sure what I want to be just yet.”
Lee went on to play one-day and T20 internationals for another two years, and eventually retired from all cricket after the 2015 Big Bash League.
The fast bowler ended his Test career with 310 wickets in 76 matches, at the time the fourth-highest Australian total behind Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Dennis Lillee.
Latest
-
NewsJos Buttler admits he needs to find his rhythm as England lose to South Africa
The hosts won the second ODI by five wickets to clinch the series in Bloemfontein.
-
NewsTemba Bavuma hits hundred as South Africa secure ODI series win over England
The Proteas chased down 343 at Bloemfontein to go 2-0 up in the three-match series.
-
NewsJos Buttler and Harry Brook give England hope of levelling ODI series
England reached 342 for seven against South Africa, with Buttler making 94 and Brook 80.
-
NewsJason Roy was never ready to ‘roll over’ despite year of setbacks and low points
Roy has for so long been England’s pacesetter at the top of the order but lost his place in the side.
-
NewsEngland batter Jason Roy emotional after return to form in South Africa defeat
Roy’s slump with the bat led to him being dropped ahead of England’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign last year.
-
EnglandJofra Archer will ‘get better and better’ but England batting needs more bite
Archer took one for 81 on a hot and sunny afternoon in Bloemfontein.
-
EnglandEngland beaten by South Africa in first ODI despite blistering Jason Roy century
Roy scored 113 off just 91 balls but South Africa ran out winners by 27 runs.
-
Women's CricketEngland reach Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup final after winning thriller
With Australia 96 for nine chasing 100, the England captain trapped Maggie Clark lbw to send her side through to face India in the final.
-
EnglandJofra Archer toils for little reward as South Africa set England 299 to win ODI
Archer believes he is at about “80 per cent” fitness so some rust was inevitable.
-
Women's CricketWomen’s T20 World Cup in South Africa to have all-female match officials
Three match referees and 10 umpires will form the 13-strong team.