equatorBefore Australia played Sri Lanka in late 07 I thought Lee might be lucky to hold onto a place in the Australian side. His form was ok, as it had always been, but I figured there were other bowlers who were younger who could come in and average 32.
Then in his next 9 tests he took 58 wickets @ 21, and I thought he was the best fast bowler in the world.
He was still fast, but now he kept the pressure on, lead the attack, bowled vile inducingly long spells, stopped leaking runs, and he completely turned me around.
Before that I could take him or leave him, mostly leave. But those are numbers that make you undress and lather up.
The Mrs Lee went and rode a bronco (A bronco is a wild horse, and in Australia the term, ‘to ride a bronco’ means to leave your loved one as you believe the relationship has run its course). And Brett lost the plot.
His next 8 tests were various forms of career suicide, and his 21 wickets @ 47 sort of tell you the story, 9 of those wickets came in 6 matches against India and South Africa.
His body and mind had collapsed. He still wanted to succeed; he has always been an earnest fellow. His will to come back seemed to be overshadowed by the enormity of the task.
Lee was so determined he just kept flying to various Australian tour destinations and until he was picked again. He was the little blond engine that could.
His form in the IPL was pretty tasty, but bowling to Indian domestic players who have never seen a ball bounce above their navel is not a real challenge, the real challenge turned out to be Chris Gayle.
Lee failed, as has been his way in England.
Against Sri Lanka he failed again, this time he found ways to fuck up brilliantly crafted overs. 4 or 5 dot balls finished with wides, no balls and boundaries.
Now Australia is gearing themselves for the Ashes, and Ricky is publicly backing Brett Lee, which makes a nice change from their failing out in India.
I want to believe Brett Lee is ok, that this was just a twenty20 random grope on a train, and not a serious sexual assault that he can’t come back from.
Not because I like him, although I met him once and he was a swell fella, but because the game needs fast bowlers.
Australia has 4 proper quick bowlers including Lee, one is a ski instructor they ignore, the other is a bit of a fruit loop they have just shit canned, and the other is Mitchell Johnson.
I like fast bowlers, even the predictable gentleman kind, and if I can’t have a leg spinner, I would prefer two proper quicks.
Which Lee will make his comeback in the Ashes, the miserly demon leader or the run leaking waste of space?
Should Australia punt on Lee, with his poor record in the UK, or is it time to let him reclaim his birth right of Bollywood’s favourite white cricketer.
Usually I am so sure, but with Lee, I have already back flipped so many times my back is gone. For once I shall leave it to the selectors and Ricky, so I expect Lee to be there for the first test.
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Leave him where he is and give us Clark – Clark is a gamble too but has been a much more miserly bowler than Lee over the course of his (admittedly shorter) career. Clarke, returning from injury might end up like the Gillespie saga, but has never relied on the pace with deserted Gillespie in 05. Even at his worst, his tight line and lengths are unlikely to go for the 4+ runs an over that Lee has typically allowed. He’s also unlikely to go at 45+ runs a wicket which Lee has suffered in 2 distinct phases of his career (punctuated by the excellent form he showed starting against Sri Lanka). Lee has dominated the longer short format for a much longer period than on the 5 day game, yet in the 2 20/20’s seemed to excercise the same lack of control or poor judgement (I can never tell which) that has often plagued him in the longer form of the game. Too much of a risk. Failiong larke give us Hilf or Bollinger.
There is no debate – the guy in UK conditions is a fucktard cuntox. I will be devastated if he is not punished for many in the first test.
He is finished, those 9 tests, along with a few on debut, were his moment. That being said, he will probably “travel” with team for the next 5 years
Ah, Brett Lee, not since Craig McDermott has there been a quality fast bowler who has the extraordinary ability to bowl nude rubbish along with absolute jaffas.
Binga was the most exciting fast bowler I had seen upon debut – and probably the quickest and best debut over ever. His first 7 tests were unbelievable, but then came the back injury and he never was really the same again.
Then there was the 5 year period which basically consisted of bouncer, yorker, half volley, collect ball from boundary, short of a length, collect ball from boundary. Rinse. Repeat.
And there was no doubt that he was injured mid last year (physically and mentally) and was one of the main reasons that Australia struggled last summer (along with Mike Hussey). When your no. 4 can’t make a run and your fast bowler can’t get over 138k (but still bowls like he’s release 155k thunderbolts) , you know you’re in trouble.
Look, if he can keep his pace at > 148 then he may be okay in the Ashes (he WILL play the first test, BTW).
He’ll play, but I’d like to see some serious leftie heat in Johnson and Nannes.
Is he the Aussie Steve Harmison? Cut him loose
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Cricket Australia must look to the future and not the past.
He was fantastic when Pigeon Retired, but now has lost it. Like i said they must look to the future and play Ben Hilfenhaus, Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle.
Bret Lee is a True Sportsmen who takes things in his stride . He is competitive , fierce with his pace and gives his best effort. He maintains his cool , dignity . Unlike other Australians you rarely watch Lee loosing tempers, Sledging or getting involved in unwanted heated arguements. He just believes in giving his best on the field, he has an attacking approach. Lee enjoys well deserved respect among his peers and holds high honour and diginity by the members of oppostion team. A nice gentleman at heart , he expresed concern over the attack of indian students in Australia and publicly requested the university authority for their security. Lee Deserves a chance in Australian Squad , he really performed well in IPL for KingsXI punjab , his mere presence in team is a big boost . He shouldn’t be judged just based on two bad performance in ICC WC 20-20 performance. Definitely deserves to be a part of team .A True Sportsperson and equally gud gentlemen should be given a Thumbsup ………….Really a big Fan of Lee.
Jayant, Most of what you say is true, except one thing, when he really loses his cool he bowls beamers, which may ruin your image of him. But it is true. Off the field though he is everything you say he is.
I am another big fan of Lee. I can’t comment on Australian team selection but I always hope he will be given a chance and Lee will actually make good use of that one chance he gets in the Ashes.
Jayant, being a great, caring, understanding and all-round top bloke off the field is great for increasing your sponsorship, but not for winning the Ashes. Currently Lee is at his best when serving up pies rather than taking wickets, and therefore fat hacks like Strauss and Bopara will feast on the servings of this over rated pastry chef. Lee should concentrate on getting his biscuits in the oven and his buns in the bed, preferably with Michael Clarke’s cupcake.
Well Friends,”Form is Temporary but Class is Permanent” . Bret Lee Definately has a Class . Over the years he has proved consistency and has emerged one of top fast bowler Australia has produced over last decade. His record speaks of itself. It is unjustified to put question on his commitment, talent ,caliber and great loyality towards the team .
Agreed Lee is not in best of his form but that happened with all top performers at some point in their career. Be it Glenn Mcgrath, Zaheer khan , Shane Warne or even Sachin . Everyone has rough rollar coaster ride at some point in their career due to injury, bad forms or off field contraversies.
But then rememeber…. Great players choose great platform to prove their mettle and announce their comeback . In a Premier Series like Ashes you need Experienced Pros in the side who can handle the pressure , guide and inspire the younger breed of bowlers , share their expereience . Rememeber Experience cann’t be purchased or replaced. Ashes is not a time for experients , but to go for tried , tested and proven performer over the year. Lee definitely deserves one more go agianst bitter arch-rivals England. Wat you say?????
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Jayant, If he has so much class, why does he not average under 30 with the ball in test match cricket? Also in his previous Ashes series he has been ordinary, very ordinary.