Australian cricket legend Brett Lee has revealed a fascinating personal truth: throughout his illustrious career, his primary obsession was not taking wickets or setting records, but achieving the sheer, raw speed of bowling at 160 kilometres per hour. The former tearaway fast bowler, recently inducted into Australian Cricket’s Hall of Fame, stated that this singular goal, set when he was just nine years old, defined his entire journey in the sport.
A Childhood Dream Forged in Speed
Lee, now 49, dedicated his life to chasing this velocity barrier. He credited his natural ability to his mother, Helen, a former sprinter, whose genetics he believes gifted him the physical build and athleticism crucial for pace bowling. "That (160kmph) means more to me than any wicket I've taken," Lee told cricket.com.au. While emphasising that team triumphs like the 2003 World Cup win and 16 consecutive Test victories were the ultimate pinnacle, he clarified that on a personal level, speed was his holy grail.
"But in terms of personal milestones, it wasn't wickets for me. Because I'd set my goal at such a young age to hit that 160(kph) barrier and to go past it … when you dream about something, you dedicate your life to achieving that dream, and it comes off, it's very special," Lee explained. His international career yielded 718 wickets across formats, a testament to his skill, but the speedometer reading held a deeper significance.
The Anatomy of Pace: Lee's Natural Blueprint
Delving into the mechanics of his blistering pace, Lee pinpointed three natural assets. First was his run-up, which he considered his most important asset. Second was a braced front leg upon delivery. "That's something you're either born with, or you're not, (and) that will allow you to get that speed through the crease. For me, that's something that came naturally," he said. The third component was the violent snap down of his front (left) arm, which generated the kinetic chain leading to his right arm whipping through. "The quicker my left-arm came down, the quicker my right arm would follow," he added.
This quest for speed began in childhood. "I got that enthusiasm and that really good vibe out of seeing the stumps either break or be knocked over," Lee recalled, describing the pure joy that fuelled his ambition from a tender age.
The Magic Moments: When the Dream Became Reality
Lee breached the coveted 160kmph mark twice in international cricket. The first, unforgettable instance was during the high-pressure 2003 World Cup semifinal against Sri Lanka in South Africa. Defending a modest 212, Lee steamed in to dismiss Marvan Atapattu with a thunderous 160.1kmph delivery. "Looking up (at the scoreboard) and seeing I went past 160(kmph) was a pretty special moment," he reminisced.
His fastest-ever ball was recorded at 160.8kmph during an ODI against New Zealand in Napier on March 5, 2005. Ironically, Lee noted that period was one of personal frustration despite his peak fitness and speed. "I felt my fittest when I bowled my quickest ball... but that was a time when I ended up spending 18 months out of the Test team," he said, acknowledging the fierce competition for places in that legendary Australian attack.
That phase tested his mettle. "That was hard to take, but I had to get on with it... I knew I just had to keep bowling fast, keep taking wickets in one-day cricket, and the opportunity would present itself," Lee stated, showcasing his resilience. He described himself as an athlete who thrived, not hid, under pressure. "This is the moment that you want'. Now, whether or not you win, lose or draw, it doesn't matter. It's the moment that you want to be involved in," he concluded, defining the mindset of a champion speedster who lived for the big stage and the thrill of pure pace.
