Player: | B Lee |
After McGrath retired, Gillespie and Kasprowicz out of favour with the selectors the duty of carrying the attack fell on Brett Lees shoulder and he performed the duty quite admirably till injuries and personal problems began to take its toll on him. Till the tour to India in 2008, Brett Lee was the bowler whom Ponting would look to provide breakthroughs and stem the flow of runs. He made his Test debut in 1999 against India and he lived up to the hype that his inclusion generated. He first helped Australia to a commanding position with the bat and then wrecked havoc on the Indian batting line-up with sheer pace. He continued to play an important role on the Australian plans and as years went by he matured as a bowler. He changed himself from a tearaway fast bowler to a dependable paceman for his captain. Lee's career hasn't always been easy. He struggled against accusations of throwing, beamers, stress fractures and other injuries. He was then confined to the role of twelfth man as he ran drinks and sponges in nine consecutive Tests. He came back for the 2005 Ashes series and earned plaudits for his brave performances with bat and ball.