Australia fast bowler Brett Lee is facing up to the fact that he may never play Test cricket ever again due to injury.
Elbow injury forces Aussie quick to consider options
Australia fast bowler Brett Lee is facing up to the fact that he may never play Test cricket ever again due to injury.
The 33-year-old's future has been thrown into doubt after a persistent elbow injury has forced him out of action for another 12 weeks.
Lee has been plagued with injury setbacks during his 76-Test career and his advancing years have forced him to consider his future options.
While refusing to call time on his international career, Lee admitted it is a decision he may soon have to make.
"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," he said.
"I want to keep playing for Australia. I love being out there in the green and gold and enjoy playing for my country.
"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."
Last resort
Despite his fitness fears, Lee, who has taken 310 Test wickets and 324 one-day international scalps, still believes he has a lot more cricket left in him.
"I need to get away from the game, get this (elbow) right and then I'll make a call on my future," Lee said.
"It's a tough question because I don't know how the elbow's going to pull up.
"But I've had setbacks before and don't see why I can't come back from this.
"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."
Lee added he will "exhaust every avenue" to correct his elbow problem, labelling surgery a "last resort".
If he does return, Lee's aim is to become the first Australian to claim 400 ODI wickets.
"I've had people write me off the last 10, 12 years and I've always found a way to come back," he declared.
