February 2008

Ten minutes with... Brett Lee

The Australian fast bowler is a star both on and off the cricket pitch. We pick Brett Lee’s brain on cricketing matters and find out more about that burgeoning showbiz career

WORDS ALAN GRANT

Photo: Getty ImagesWhat do you regard as your career high and low?
My career high would have to be representing Australia with my older brother Shane; it made me feel very proud for my family. The lowest point was when I was forced to miss the World Cup last year through injury.

Aged 31 and with 260 test wickets there probably isn’t enough time to match the records of Shane Warne (708) and Glenn McGrath (563), but are you going to play long enough to beat Dennis Lillee’s total of 355 for third place among Aussie bowlers?
That is a goal I would love to achieve, hopefully if I stay free of injury and in top form, I can get close. Lillee was probably my biggest idol growing up; I used to love watching him bowl – frightening the life out of his opposition!

Do you tend to bowl less bouncers at tail-enders knowing they can dish out what they receive?
No, because at test match level everyone is capable of holding the bat.

You’re not too shabby with the bat – any dreams of a test century?
That’s certainly a goal and every time I go out to bat it’s what I would love to achieve.

Who is the toughest international batsman you have faced and which bowler do you admire the most?
As far as batsmen go, it would have to be [India’s] Sachin Tendulkar – he is just so naturally talented. As a bowler, I admire [South Africa’s] Alan Donald because of his aura on the field.

Off the field, you’re a bit of a pop star in India. Why and how did that come about?
I had the pleasure of doing a song with [legendary Indian singer] Asha Bhosle [in 2006] and after enjoying that experience I was given more opportunities to share my love for Indian culture and music. It is something that I want to build on in the future.

Given that success, and your role as guitar-wielding front man for the band Six and Out, do you harbour ‘what might have been’ thoughts?
The most important things to me in life are my family and my cricket. I am extremely happy with how things have worked out – so the ‘what might have been’ thought doesn’t enter my mind.

Does Australian captain Ricky Ponting let you play guitar in the dressing room?
Often, after the end of day’s play, I get out the guitar and have a singalong with the boys in the dressing room as it’s a great way to relax and wind down.

You recently joined the Seven Network as a presenter. Where do you see your post-cricket broadcasting career going?
Apart from my obvious love for cricket, I have many interests outside the game including music, fashion, film and travel. If I could incorporate these interests into a career I’d be very grateful.

Soccer, Rugby, League or AFL?
Soccer, I follow Sydney FC.