‘Facing Brett Lee was a massive challenge’

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Among the many practitioners of genuine air speed, Brett Lee was a durable scion and one who would have crunched more numbers if not for a cramped schedule.

Four surgeries on his right ankle besides shoulder problems cut short a career that dazzled. The entertainment Lee provided with the ball was a rough equivalent to what Virender Sehwag often provides with the bat.

Lee’s Indian connection is only well known. From his lasting friendship with VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh to his singing collaboration with the legendary Asha Bhonsle, Lee literally made India his second home.

Incidentally his Test debut was also against India at Melbourne (Boxing Day, 1999) where he gave the first glimpse of speed and verve.

Former Indian opener, Sadagoppan Ramesh recounted Lee’s debut. “Lee did not put the fear of god in batsmen as Shoaib Akhtar did but he was not far behind in terms of speed. Deliveries did thud on to the bat rather than the bat hitting the ball.

If the Australians dominated Test cricket in that period, Lee had a definite role to play. He brought in the one missing element — raw pace to their arsenal,” said Ramesh who was Lee’s maiden Test wicket.

The MRF Pace Foundation also played a vital role in shaping the career of Lee. The raw potential of Lee was chiseled to perfection by pace guru Dennis Lillee and coach TA Sekar. “One look at him (Lee) and you knew he was a natural. There were no major corrections done.

Lee was one bowler who never compromised on pace even on heartless tracks. With experience he learnt variations but his strength remained pace.

He was a hard worker, a role model for fast bowlers and easily the best the world has seen in recent times,” explained Sekar.

For a bowler who started ferociously quick, Lee did drop a few yards but that was only understandable. “The first time we played him was in a warm up one-dayer in 1999. I opened the innings with Laxman (VVS) and after a few overs we were in disbelief. We really thought the pitch was less than 22 yards.

Lee was a huge challenge irrespective of whether it was the first or last ball of the day,” said Ramesh.
Lee will be sorely missed by his fans as there is no greater sight in cricket than a speedster in full flow.

A crumb of comfort is that Lee will continue for at least one more season in the T20 leagues in India (IPL) and Australia (BBL).