Cricket: Lee retires from tests

Australian bowler Brett Lee is focusing on the shorter forms of the game. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Australian fast bowler Brett Lee retired from test cricket Wednesday but will continue to play limited-overs matches.

Lee, who has been bothered by injuries which have restricted him to 76 tests since his debut in the 1999-2000 season, says he took the decision in a bid to prolong his international career.

"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.

Lee has not played a test since January 2009.

His arrival in test cricket in 1999 was spectacular, taking 5-47 in the first innings of the Boxing Day 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 third 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 cricket at test level.

"Brett's had a fantastic career in test match cricket for Australia over a long period, and I take this opportunity to congratulate him on the way he has represented his country and the outstanding contribution he has made," Sutherland said. "Brett has played a key role in helping the Australian team be one of the most successful test teams in history.

"But it's also the way he went about his cricket; with a readiness to smile and a clear enjoyment of what he was doing, which also helped lift the teams popularity and won the support of fans in Australia and throughout the world."

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.

Australia's chairman of selectors, Andrew Hilditch, also praised Lee.

"Brett has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian test team over a long period and it has been a great pleasure to see him develop as a person and a cricketer over that period," Hilditch said. "He's been one of the world's quickest bowlers in test cricket for a long period of time and a key member of Australia's squad during a very successful era in Australian cricket.

"While Brett has announced his retirement from test cricket, the (National Selection Panel) will continue to monitor his progress as he returns from injury and will be keeping a close eye on his form in the shorter formats."

Lillee said Lee would go down as one of the great all time "express bowlers", having been among the quickest bowlers ever to have played in tests.

"Bowling 150 (kph) plus puts a huge strain on the body and it can only take so much. For him to play 76 tests and take 300 odd wickets doing what he does is a credit to him," Lillee said.

England allrounder Andrew Flintoff, who counselled Lee as he continued retirement, said he was sad to hear of the player's departure from the test arena.

"I have always found him a really tough competitor every time I have played against him, but I know he has been struggling with injuries in recent months," Flintoff said.

"From my own experience, I know how hard it is to keep performing at the highest level when you have a series of injuries 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."

- AP