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
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Brett Lee-related news, interviews, and insights. Get real-time updates on:
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Discussions on Australia’s current fast bowlers
Exclusive interviews and coaching updates
Check out the Latest News on Brett Lee!