Brett Lee retires from all format of International Cricket

Australia's fast bowler Brett Lee announced retirement from International Cricket. Though, he will continue playing in Australia's Twenty20 Big Bash & the Indian Premier League, this announcement is surely going to upset some of his fans. Brett is described as a fierce, fine, brave and generous opponent who always maintained the standards of sportsmanship. The 35-year-old bowler was forced to return home from Australia's recent tour to England because of a calf injury which made him realize enough is enough.

Brett Lee, who is also known by his nickname Binga, is a part time guitarist. He has a huge fan group following in India and he considers India as his second home. Lee had actually planned to get retired in September after the ICC World Twenty20 but still he continued to play for his country. Brett Lee made his last appearance last week at Durham for Australia where he hurt his calf while playing on his 221st one-day international.

In his 13 year old career, Lee played 76 tests matches and 221 one-day internationals, where he showcased a batting average of 20 and claimed 380 wickets. Thus, he became the second highest wicket-taker for Australia after Glenn McGrath to take more than 300 Test wickets. Brett Lee thanked all his fans at a recent press conference for the immense love and support he had received from them, for all these years.

Brett Lee’s performance in cricket:

Twenty20 internationals

• Best bowling: 3-23
• Runs (batting): 101
• HS: 43 not out
• Economy: 7.86
• Bowling average: 25.5
• Wickets: 28
• Matches: 25
• Average: 16.83

Test career

• Best bowling: 5-30
• Maidens: 547
• Wickets: 310
• Runs (batting): 1451
• Economy: 3.48
• Bowling average: 30.82
• HS: 64
• Batting average: 20.15
• Matches: 76

One-day career

• Best bowling: 5-22
• Runs (batting): 1100
• Bowling average: 23.18
• Economy: 4.77
• HS: 59
• Wickets: 377
• Maidens: 138
• Matches: 217
• Batting average: 16.92