Brett Lee bowled the ball at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour twice. file photo
Melbourne, Pretr. Former Australian bowler Brett Lee has got a place in the Hall of Fame of Australian Cricket. He was so passionate about fast bowling that he had set a target of achieving a speed of 160 kmph at the age of nine. Until he achieved this magical figure, no individual achievement or taking wickets of the best batsmen meant anything to him.
Lee achieved a top speed of over 160 kmph twice in his career. The first time was in the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, where he dismissed Sri Lanka's Marvan Atapattu in the semi-finals with a ball traveling at 160.1 kmph. The second time was a ball of 160.8 km/hr, which he bowled against New Zealand in Napier in 2005.
gave credit to mother
The 49-year-old Lee, who was inducted into Australian Cricket's Hall of Fame, said he had dedicated his life to making his dream come true. For this he credited his mother Helen, who was a sprinter and thus had the necessary genetic qualities to become a speed merchant.
Had a dream at a young age
According to cricket.com AU, Lee said, 160 km per hour means more to me than any wicket. Obviously the team is paramount and winning the World Cup 2003, winning 16 Tests in a row. This is the highest achievement. This is what the game is played for. But as far as personal achievements are concerned, taking wickets was not that important for me, because I had set a target of achieving and going beyond 160 kmph at a very young age. Then when that dream comes true it is very special.
Brett Lee ended his two-decade long career with 718 international wickets across all formats. He is counted among the best fast bowlers in the world as he instilled fear in top batsmen around the world.
Also read- Speed king Brett Lee gets Cricket Australia's biggest honour...inducted into 'Hall of Fame'