Published 15:51 IST, November 8th 2019
Brett Lee turns 43: The Aussie pacer's top 3 ODI spells vs India
Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee had been outstanding with his career. Let us take a look at the birthday boy's top three spells in ODIs vs India.
- SportFit
- 3 min read
Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee celebrates his 43rd birthday on Friday, November 8, 2019. The Australian ace, who consistently bowled around the 150 km/h mark, was one of the fastest bowlers in his era. The pacer enjoyed a stellar career, having played 310 Tests, 221 ODIs and 25 T20Is and picked up a mammoth 718 wickets across all formats. Facing Brett Lee at the peak of his powers was a daunting task, which the Indian cricket team knows well of. Lee picked up foir 5-wicket hauls against India in the mere 32 ODIs he played against India. Here, let’s take a look at his top 3 spells vs India in ODIs.
Brett Lee's Top 3 ODI spells vs India
1. Brett Lee 5/27 vs India, Carlton and United Series, 2000
Brett Lee made his ODI debut in the first game of the series against Pakistan. In the 10th game of the series against India, Australia posted a massive 329/5 after opener Mark Waugh scored a hundred. India folded for a paltry 177, with Brett Lee running through the line-up with his express pace. Lee ended with figures of 5/27, picking up top-order batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and Hrishikesh Kanitkar before cleaning up the tail to pick up his first 5-wicket haul in ODIs.
2. Brett Lee 5/38 vs India, DLF Cup, 2006
Brett Lee was at his best yet again in a low-scoring affair against his favourite foes India. Winning the toss, Australia elected to bat first and were bowled out 213. Chasing 214, India lost both openers Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag to Lee’s pace. Lee then dismissed wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and followed it up with the wickets of Munaf Patel and RP Singh to win Australia the game. He finished with figures of 8.5-0-38-5 as Australia won the game by 18 runs.
3. Brett Lee 5/27 vs India, CB Series 2008
In the first match of the 2008 CB Series, India captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat. After Sachin Tendulkar was hit-wicket off Lee’s bowling, he dismantled the Indian middle-order trio of Manoj Tiwary, Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni. He later picked up the wicket of Harbhajan Singh to complete yet another 5-wicket haul against India. Australia couldn’t award Lee for his efforts after rain interruption forced the match to be called off.
Updated 17:28 IST, November 8th 2019
