IT WAS A PLEASURE WATCHING BRETT LEE PLAY CRICKET

Brett Lee, who retired after a 13-year long career last week (july 13\012), was one of the most eye-pleasing fast bowlers to watch. I remember seeing him for the first time back in 1999, in his debut series against India. Before the Test match at Melbourne, there was a practice game there that we had gone to watch. Lee was playing that game. Suddenly, I saw this fellow was bowling really quick and I was astonished! The feeling you experience when a fast bowler is at the top of his skill and bowling with rhythm, charging in, is one of the great sights of the game. And you got that impression when you saw Brett Lee bowl.

It was a great joy seeing Lee on the field too. He always played with a smile; of course he had a few jibes here and there. But he always gave a 100% when he played. You never got the feeling with Brett Lee that he was just putting the ball somewhere and that’s why I think he tended to be a little expensive, because he was always trying to go flat out for wickets. He has had all kinds of injuries and each time he has come back strongly which is commendable for an express pacer. As a fast bowler, each time you come out of injury, you are a lesser bowler because you lose pace, but Lee was always an aggressive bowler and gave his all no matter what.

The one quality I like about him the most is his humility. He did not forget the guy who helped him in his Under-19 days and even when he was a Test player he went back and worked in that shop selling suits to people. That says a lot about the character of a person. There are very few people like him who don’t forget help rendered to him, especially when they don’t need to remember. And that’s what made him liked and admired, even in India. He made friends everywhere and Indians had a special bond with him.

Finally, for someone who ran in and bowled hard and fast, 13 years is a long career to have. To take over 300 Test and ODI wickets, when his body was being subjected to such a lot because of injuries, is a remarkable achievement. I would like to wish Brett Lee good luck for his future.