Cricket Update: Greg Chappell believes Brett Lee will deliver
Greg Chappell, former Australian Test cricketer, has shown faith in Aussie fast bowler Brett Lee. He postulates that Lee will be amongst the key players for the Kangaroos in the upcoming ICC mega event. Australia are the defending champions and will be eyeing
their fourth consecutive World Cup win.
Chappell emphasized on Brett’s significance for his side and said that it will be hard to find his replacement if he gets injured before the start of cricket’s biggest event, being hosted by three South-Asian nations India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
The former Aussie captain said, “I don't think anybody's irreplaceable. If things happened and he got injured it would be a great shame but I think others could step up. Whether they could do exactly the same role that he does, probably not. For that
reason we don't want to lose him because there are not many people that could bring to the table what he brings”
The 34-year-old cricketer made his comeback in the ODI series against England. There has been a change of fortune for the Kangaroos, who were beaten by visitors in Ashes 3-1, ever since his return from elbow injury. They are leading the seven match series
3-0 and need one more win to clinch the series.
Lee is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing series with a staggering average of 15.57. He has been able to dismantle oppositions batting order with the new ball and in later stages has hampered the flow of runs with fast yorkers and short pitched slower
deliveries.
The right arm fast bowler after consulting with his friend Andrew Flintoff, former England player, retired from Test cricket early in 2010 in order to prolong his One-day international career.
Brett debuted for the Kangaroos on December 26, 1999 in a Test match against India. He has been part of Aussie line-up ever since. He has also been part of the World Cup winning squad in 2003 and 2007.
Australia lost once in the 21 games in which he has been part of the team which re-enforces Greg’s claim. He has a career success percentage of 71.95. This is the highest win percentage compared to any other cricket in the Australian squad. He is one of
the most feared bowler in the line-up.
Now the superstar is near the end of his illustrious career and will likely to end his career on a high by helping his side retain the trophy.
Chappell who is also the chief selector for national side said, "We were confident that if he could regain fitness and get back to bowling at the sort of speeds he is renowned for that he could be the leader of the attack that we will really need in
the World Cup. He's a more than useful lower-order batsman. He offers a lot, not least of all his experience and his reputation,"
The chief selector stressed on the fast bowlers presence in the outfit, "There's no doubt the whole group is inspired by what he's doing and is capable of doing. The fact they see his enthusiasm as an experienced player...I'm sure he is a great example.
From what I've seen of him around the group, the group's enjoying him being there”.
Australia World Cup squad
Ricky Ponting (captain), Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, David Hussey, Cameron White, Tim Paine (wk), Steven Smith, John Hastings, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Brett Lee, Shaun Tait, Doug Bollinger.
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