Former Aussie speedster Brett Lee on why the Indian batter should be left alone, how pace bowling has improved but not turned quicker, and what the future of cricket could look like
Brett Lee, Australian former international cricketer
Image: Mexy Xavier
When he played cricket, Brett Lee was known for bowling thunderbolts, consistently clocking over 140-plus km/h. But off it, the former Aussie speedster is far more affable and hospitable: “Namaste, kaise hai (hello, how are you)?” he begins the interview with folded hands and a disarming smile.
Lee says he’s picked up a smattering of Hindi from his regular visits to India, “my second home”, and going by its frequent use, “aaram se” could very well be his favourite. He spouts the phrase liberally–whether to ask the kitchen staff at a restaurant to go easy on the noisy mixie during a video shoot, or to answer how Indians should deal with Virat Kohli’s dip in form (the interview happened before the India-Afghanistan match in Asia Cup). “Be patient with him, this guy is gold,” he says.
But “aaram” has eluded Lee, now a father of three, ever since his retirement seven years ago. The Aussie, who has over 700 international wickets, is now a commentator, supports charities and represents a portfolio of brands. A few days after he was in Dubai to watch the India-Pakistan tie in the Asia Cup and a few days before he was to play in the Road Safety World Series to be held in four Indian cities, the 45-year-old was in Mumbai as an ambassador of Jacob’s Creek, the official wine partner of the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. Lee sat down with Forbes India during his visit for a freewheeling chat. Edited excerpts.
Q. Since your retirement seven years ago, cricket has undergone a sea change. With the proliferation of T20 leagues around the world, do you see franchise cricket taking precedence over international in future?
Potentially, and I think it has already started. You make a valid point, with all these franchise leagues–IPL, PSL, CPL, the CSA and UAE T20 leagues–that are happening already. Here, you have to look at what’s the ambition of a young kid coming through–is it to play for India or Australia or to play for a franchise? I was lucky I didn’t have to make that choice. I picked Australia first, and I still would, and then the others would encompass that. But I think things changed down the next couple of years.