Brett Lee
- Date of Birth 1976-11-8
- Role bowler
- Batting Style right-hand bat
- Bowling Style right-arm fast
Debut Matches
| Format | Match | Date |
|---|---|---|
| TEST | AUS vs IND | 1999-12-26 |
| ODI | PAK vs AUS | 2000-01-09 |
| T20 | AUS vs NZ | 2005-02-17 |
| vs | 1970-01-01 |
Recent Performances
Batting Statistics
Matches
76
Innings
90
Runs
1451
Average
20.15
Strike Rate
52.97
Highest Score
64
100s
0
50s
5
Fours
182
Sixes
18
Catches
23
Bowling Statistics
Matches
76
Innings
150
Wickets
310
Average
30.81
Economy
3.46
Strike Rate
53.3
Best Figure
5/30
4 Wickets
17
5 Wickets
10
Balls Bowled
16531
Runs Conceded
9554
Batting Statistics
Matches
221
Innings
110
Runs
1176
Average
17.81
Strike Rate
83.58
Highest Score
59
100s
0
50s
3
Fours
69
Sixes
35
Catches
54
Bowling Statistics
Matches
221
Innings
217
Wickets
380
Average
23.36
Economy
4.76
Strike Rate
29.4
Best Figure
5/22
4 Wickets
14
5 Wickets
9
Balls Bowled
11185
Runs Conceded
8877
Batting Statistics
Matches
25
Innings
12
Runs
101
Average
16.83
Strike Rate
142.25
Highest Score
43*
100s
0
50s
0
Fours
9
Sixes
4
Catches
6
Bowling Statistics
Matches
25
Innings
25
Wickets
28
Average
25.5
Economy
7.86
Strike Rate
19.4
Best Figure
3/23
4 Wickets
0
5 Wickets
0
Balls Bowled
545
Runs Conceded
714
Batting Statistics
Matches
262
Innings
134
Runs
1365
Average
17.06
Strike Rate
Highest Score
59
100s
0
50s
3
Fours
Sixes
Catches
62
Bowling Statistics
Matches
262
Innings
Wickets
438
Average
24.05
Economy
4.69
Strike Rate
30.7
Best Figure
5/22
4 Wickets
15
5 Wickets
10
Balls Bowled
13475
Runs Conceded
10534
Batting Statistics
Matches
120
Innings
56
Runs
416
Average
13.86
Strike Rate
131.23
Highest Score
48
100s
0
50s
0
Fours
30
Sixes
22
Catches
28
Bowling Statistics
Matches
120
Innings
120
Wickets
109
Average
29.88
Economy
7.22
Strike Rate
24.8
Best Figure
4/28
4 Wickets
1
5 Wickets
0
Balls Bowled
2706
Runs Conceded
3258
Brett Lee excelled as an exponent of extreme speed over a decade without achieving the all-conquering success required to earn the tag of a true Test great. Fast and with a flashy smile that added to his star quality, he finished as Australia's fourth-most successful bowler, with 310 wickets in 76 matches. For most of his career he operated as brutal support for Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie, despite frequent injuries. In his final two years he was a highly dependable attack leader until his body limited his ability in five-day contests.
At his best Lee got outswing with the new ball and reverse with the older one, making him even more difficult for batters trying to steady themselves knowing he could reach 160kph. The charging run-up and leaping celebrations added to the theatre of a bowler who made an instant impact, taking five wickets on debut at the MCG. Forty-two victims came in his opening seven Tests to gain him an A-list reputation, but he was soon in rehab after an elbow operation. His ankles were a popular site for surgery, and there were also side strains and stress fractures in a familiar cycle of breathtaking pace, painful injury and long-term layoff.
Starting by shaking up batters with short balls and yorkers, Lee went on to become a smarter operator under Ricky Ponting's captaincy, not averse to delivering containing spells on occasion. In nine Tests following McGrath's departure, hee stood up with 58 wickets at 21.55 and also won the Allan Border Medal in 2008. During that period he helped keep the rebuilding side on top of the world.
Life soon became harder again and after returning from more ankle surgery - his last act in a Test was limping off the MCG with a broken foot - he missed the 2009 Ashes with a side strain. England wasn't a kind host for Lee, who was consoled by Andrew Flintoff during his absorbing yet heartbreaking batting near-miss at Edgbaston in 2005. He was a courageous run-maker who would deflect or absorb the efforts of opposing fast bowlers as they searched for payback.
A gentleman off the field, he was aggressive on it but rarely went over the top in comparison to some of his team-mates, although his bouncers at tailenders could make for uncomfortable viewing. Lee retired from Tests at the beginning of 2010 to prolong his career in the shorter forms: in those affairs he could stay true to himself by attempting to operate at optimum speed while reducing the load on his aching body. He finally retired from all international cricket in July 2012.