Brett Lee – The Speed Demon of World Cricket

Introduction

Brett Lee, famously known as Binga, is one of the fastest bowlers in cricket history. With raw pace, pinpoint accuracy, and an aggressive approach, Lee dominated world cricket for over a decade. His ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 160 km/h made him one of the most feared fast bowlers in the game. A key member of Australia’s golden era, he played a crucial role in the team’s victories, including the 2003 Cricket World Cup and two ICC Champions Trophy titles (2006 & 2009). Lee was also the first bowler to take a hat-trick in a T20 World Cup and remains Australia’s joint-highest wicket-taker in ODIs with 380 wickets. Post-retirement, he has transitioned into a successful commentator, coach, and mentor, continuing to contribute to the sport he loves. Here, you’ll find everything about Brett Lee, including career stats, records, IPL journey, and personal life.

Brett Lee – Quick Facts

Attribute Details
Full Name Brett Lee
Born 8 November 1976 (Age 48)
Birthplace Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
Nickname Binga
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Batting Style Right-handed
Bowling Style Right-arm fast
Role Fast Bowler
National Team Australia (1999–2012)
Domestic Teams New South Wales, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Sydney Sixers, Otago
Current Role Cricket Commentator, Coach

Career Statistics

Format Matches Wickets Bowling Average Economy Rate Best Bowling 5-Wicket Hauls
             
Tests 76 310 30.81 3.46 5/30 10
ODIs 221 380 23.36 4.76 5/22 9
T20Is 25 28 25.50 7.87 3/23 0
IPL 38 25 44.68 7.51 3/15 0

International Career

Debut Matches

  • Test Debut: 26 December 1999 vs India
  • ODI Debut: 9 January 2000 vs Pakistan
  • T20I Debut: 17 February 2005 vs New Zealand
Tournament Year Matches Wickets Best Bowling Economy Rate
ICC Cricket World Cup 2003 10 22 5/42 vs New Zealand 4.73
ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 6 12 3/32 vs Sri Lanka 4.80
ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 7 13 4/28 vs Pakistan 5.00
ICC Champions Trophy 2006 5 7 3/22 vs New Zealand 3.80
ICC Champions Trophy 2009 3 6 2/32 vs England 4.50
ICC T20 World Cup 2007 6 10 3/27 vs Bangladesh (Hat-trick) 6.80
ICC T20 World Cup 2009 5 6 2/19 vs Sri Lanka 7.50

IPL & Franchise Cricket

Brett Lee was one of the most feared pacers in the IPL. His fiery spells, accurate yorkers, and match-winning performances made him a valuable asset for KXIP and KKR.

 IPL Teams and Stats

Team Years Played Best IPL Figures Total Wickets
Kings XI Punjab 2008-2010 3/15 11
Kolkata Knight Riders 2011-2013 2/19 14
 Apart from the IPL, Lee also played in several T20 leagues around the world, including:
  • Big Bash League (BBL) – Sydney Sixers
  • Pakistan Super League (PSL) – Karachi Kings
  • Caribbean Premier League (CPL) – Jamaica Tallawahs
His presence in these leagues boosted their global appeal, inspiring the next generation of fast bowlers.

Brett Lee – Records & Milestones

Record Details
Fastest Ball by an Australian 161.1 km/h vs New Zealand (2005)
Most Wickets for Australia in ODIs 380 wickets (Joint record with McGrath)
First T20 World Cup Hat-trick 2007 vs Bangladesh
Fastest 100 ODI Wickets for Australia 55 matches
Only Bowler to Take 5-Wicket Hauls at Lord’s Twice 5/22 vs South Africa (2006)
Most Wickets in a Single World Cup for Australia 22 wickets (2003)
Most Five-Wicket Hauls in ODIs for Australia 9 times

Personal Life

Brett Lee was born in Wollongong, New South Wales, and grew up in Oak Flats. He comes from a cricketing family, with his older brother Shane Lee also representing Australia. Lee has been married twice. He was first married to Elizabeth Kemp in 2006, and the couple had a son before divorcing in 2009. In 2014, he married Lana Anderson, with whom he has two children. Apart from cricket, Lee is passionate about music. He is a part of the rock band Six & Out, where he plays the bass guitar. He also collaborated with Indian singer Asha Bhosle on a song called You’re the One for Me, which became a hit in India and South Africa. Brett Lee has also acted in movies, starring in the Bollywood film UnIndian in 2015.

Why Was Brett Lee Called ‘Binga’?

Brett Lee’s nickname "Binga" comes from Bing Lee, an Australian electronics store chain. His fast bowling and aggressive approach on the field made the name even more fitting. Lee was known for his express pace, toe-crushing yorkers, and never-give-up attitude. His partnership with Glenn McGrath formed one of the most lethal fast-bowling duos in cricket history. Even after retirement, he remains an inspiration for young fast bowlers who dream of bowling at 150+ km/h.

Brett Lee – Latest News & Updates

Stay updated with all Brett Lee-related news, interviews, and insights. Get real-time updates on: His expert analysis on Fox Sports Discussions on Australia’s current fast bowlers Exclusive interviews and coaching updates Check out the Latest News on Brett Lee!