Former Australia speedster Brett Lee is regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers to have played the game. His spine-chilling pace with outstanding control over line and length had given nightmares to batsmen around the world. Recently, the southern Sydney paceman revealed the names of those batsmen who he found toughest to bowl to.
While speaking to cricket commentator Pommie Mbangwa during an Instagram LIVE session, Lee was asked to name the batsmen who according to the pacer were challenging to bowl to. The New South Wales cricketer picked three batters and started the proceedings by choosing the most worshipped batsmen of all-time, Sachin Tendulkar.
Lee said that Sachin always had extra time to play shots which made him the most prolific batsmen. Lee even opined that Sachin was the best batsman in the world.
“I think of three overseas batsman or competitors I played against. Straightaway, you think of Sachin Tendulkar. Why Sachin? He had that extra bit of time. And for those who don’t understand what this extra time is, well, the best way to explain is instead of batting on the popping crease, it felt like Sachin was batting on the return crease like batting next to the stumps. In my opinion, Sachin was the best batsman in the world,” said Lee.
Next, the former Aussie quick picked West Indies’ great Brian Lara as the toughest batsman. The genius left-handed batsman was arguably the most elegant batter the cricketing world has seen. Lee stated that Lara had the ability to hit six balls of the same over to six different corners of the ground.
“Then you go to Brian Lara. He was just so flamboyant. Didn’t matter how quick you bowl to Lara, you’d bowl the same ball six times, and he would hit in six different spots around the ground. Brian Lara and Sachin are right up there at the top,” added Lee.
For the final pick, Lee went with former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis. He claimed that Sachin was the best batsmen, but Kallis was the best cricketer he had come across.
“I have always said that Sachin was the best batsman ever, but in my opinion the best cricketer that game has seen, and of course there is Sir Garfield Sobers, I didn’t watch him play, I have watched highlights and all, but from the players I have played against, it has to be Jacques Kallis. I think Kallis was the greatest complete cricketer. He could be in any team opening the bowling or play just as a batsman. He also caught those many catches at slips,” the 43-year-old added further.
Lee also spoke about the players who had an excellent technique. He praised Indian star players like Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag. Lee also hailed his former team-mate, Adam Gilchrist. He said: “There many ways to look at it, spinners and wicket-keeper. Like Adam Gilchrist, great keeper, brilliant batsman. But to me, it was Jacques Kallis. Talking about technique, he was just so solid.”
“Well talking about technique, there was also Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman or Virender Sehwag who could hit for a six in the first ball of a Test match” concluded Lee.
