Brett Lee says a loss of desire to compete at the highest level led to his decision to retire from international cricket.
Australia quick bowler says he didn't have desire to continue
Brett Lee says a loss of desire to compete at the highest level led to his decision to retire from international cricket.
Lee, 35, was forced to return home early from Australia's one-day tour of England earlier this month with a calf injury.
Lee had been hopeful of playing in Australia's Twenty20 World Cup team in August and September in Sri Lanka.
But after his latest injury setback, the paceman decided enough was enough.
"The last two or three nights I thought about it a lot," Lee told Australia's
Channel 9. "I woke up this morning and just felt like I was ready.
"I think personally in a team environment you have to have 100% commitment - mentally and physically.
"And I guess looking at the next few months I just didn't have that desire any more.
"It wouldn't be fair on me, or my team if I went with that attitude. You get to the point in life where you say enough is enough."
The paceman will continue to play domestic cricket for New South Wales in the shorter forms, although he turned down a Cricket New South Wales contract last month, while he is also likely to continue playing in the Indian Premier League.
Lee retired from the Test arena in February 2010 after claiming 310 scalps at an average of 30.81 in 76 matches.
He continued to play one-day international and Twenty20 cricket at both international and domestic level and, in the absence of the likes of Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie, spearheaded the pace attack in the 50-over format of the game.
Lee finished his one-day career with 380 wickets - one short of McGrath's Australian record haul of 381 - from 221 matches at an average of 23.36 and an economy rate of 4.76.
National selector John Inverarity said: "Today one of Australia's most outstanding fast bowlers announced his retirement."
He added: "The statistics only tell part of the story. Brett has been an absolute ornament to the game; a fine player, a fierce and brave competitor, a generous opponent and one who always upheld the highest standards of sportsmanship.
"He has been a cricketer in every sense of the word."
Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said: "His record as a wicket-taker and leader of the attack is fantastic and speaks for itself but his resilience and ability to bounce back after numerous injuries has also been impressive.
"On top of this, and this is a significant part of his legacy, Brett inspired young Australians to play cricket and bowl fast."
