Birthday special: Brett Lee – Top 3 performances in international cricket

Some bowlers take wickets by impeccable lines and lengths, and then there was Brett Lee, who would conquer the minds of the batters before even bowling a delivery. Blessed with extreme pace and incredible agility, Lee terrorized batters for more than a decade with his marauding spells. Although injuries plagued him in the latter stages of his career, Lee remains one of the most fierce competitors to have graced the game of cricket. On his 46th birthday, we list the Aussie greats’ most memorable bowling spells.

5/30 against West Indies, 2005

The West Indies travelled to Brisbane for the first Test match of the series against the Aussies. The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl first in the series opener, a decision that backfired for Shivnarine Chanderpaul’s side as Australia posted a daunting total of 435 runs on the back of a swashbuckling 149 from Ricky Ponting. The Caribbean side folded for a meagre 210 runs in their reply as Glenn McGrath grabbed a four-for. Their misery was compounded in the following innings as Ponting registered his second century of the match to set the visitors an improbable target of 509 runs. Lee compiled a magnificent bowling spell blowing away the Caribbean top order, and returning with impressive figures of 5/30.

5/27 against India, 2000

The 10th match of the Carlton & United Series between Australia and India was hosted by the Adelaide Oval. The home side led by Steve Waugh batted first in the match after winning the toss. A scintillating opening partnership between Adam Gilchrist and Mark Waugh propelled the hosts to a massive total of 329 runs in their 20 overs. India, in reply, had no answer to Lee’s fiery spell, who accounted for three of the Indian top four batters. Lee finished with spectacular bowling figures of 5/27 as Australia won the game by a comprehensive margin of 152 runs.

5/22 against South Africa, 2006

The fourth match of the VB series between Australia and South Africa saw the Proteas travel to Melbourne. Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat first in the match. His side managed to post a competitive total of 245 runs, recovering from early setbacks. South Africa were in the game after an impressive bowling outing, but their hopes were dashed by Brett Lee’s breathtaking bowling spell. The menacing pacer ran riot with the ball and returned with 5/22 to hand his side a 59-run victory.