Lee: I've a lot of cricket left
Brett Lee believes despite being 33 there is plenty of cricket left in him
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By inthenews. |  |
Tuesday, 17, Nov 2009 02:36
By Michael Younger.
Australia fast bowler Brett Lee has announced he is to take a break from the sport to rest a persistent elbow injury before deciding on his cricketing future.
The paceman's 76-Test journey is said to be at a crossroad after a persistent elbow injury sidelined him for much of the summer, and looks set to keep him out of action for a further 12 weeks after the injury flared up on Sunday during a one-day match in Sydney.
The latest setback is certain to prevent Lee from forcing his way back into the Test side this summer, leaving his future cricket career in doubt.
But Lee has put off any decision on his future, saying: "At this point in time I don't need to make a call. It depends on how the operation goes - if that takes place - how the fitness is and how much I want it.
"I want to keep playing for Australia. I love being out there in the green and gold and enjoy playing for my country.
"I am 33 years of age but with the cricket I've missed, I don't see my body being 33 as well. I still think there is a lot of cricket left in me.
"But if I don't play another game for Australia again or play another game of cricket again, I'm very pleased with what I've achieved."
Lee, who has taken 310 Test wickets and 324 ODI scalps, insists it isn't only his fitness he'll consider when the time comes to make a decision on his future.
"There are personal issues I need to sort out, which I keep pretty close to my chest. It's a really, really tough time for me but also an exciting time to think of what the future holds," he explained.
"I think I spent, up until last week, two nights at home in close to nine months. That's a massive issue. I don't want to spend that amount of time away from home ever again. That was very tough, I'll be very honest."