•    HOME   
•    NEWS   
•    BUSINESS   
•    INTERNATIONAL   
•    TECH   
•    SPORTS   
•    LIFE & TIMES   
•    OPINION   
•    MY JAKARTA   
•    BLOGS   

Sydney. Australian fast bowler Brett Lee retired from test cricket on Wednesday in a bid to prolong his international limited-overs career.

Lee, 33, was one of the game’s fastest-ever bowlers at his peak, with deliveries recorded at speeds up to 161 kph.

His career has been hampered by injuries, which have restricted him to 76 tests since his debut in the 1999-2000 season; he has not played a test since January 2009.

“I am extremely proud to have played test cricket for Australia. My reason for retiring from this form of the game is so that I can preserve my body and continue to represent my country,” Lee said in a statement.

His arrival in test cricket in 1999 was spectacular, taking 5-47 in the first innings of the annual Dec. 26 test against India in Melbourne and finishing with seven wickets in the match.

He went on to claim 310 test wickets at an average of 30.81, leaving him fourth on the Australian all-time list behind Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Dennis Lillee, and 22nd among wicket-takers for all nations.

Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said Lee had made an outstanding contribution to Australian test cricket.

Sutherland said he looked forward to seeing Lee return to the Australian limited-overs squad when he was able to overcome his current elbow injury.

The chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, said Lee remained a strong candidate for Australia’s limited-overs squads.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Lee was one of the greats of the game.

“That’s certainly the way he should be recognized,” he said.

“If we all just take a minute and think about what he’s put himself through in that 10 or 12 years — running 35 meters to bowl every ball, bowling every ball at close to 150 kph, and putting his heart on the line every ball he bowls. I think this bloke deserves a massive pat on the back,” Ponting added.

Before making his decision, Lee took advice from England allrounder Andrew Flintoff, who also retired from test cricket to concentrate on one-dayers.

“From my own experience, I know how hard it is to keep performing at the highest level when you have a series of injuries,” Fintoff said, “but I am sure Brett will be remembered by cricket-lovers everywhere as an outstanding athlete, great fast bowler and a key part of Australia’s success.”

  Cricket

Associated Press