Lee ends international career

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Australia paceman Brett Lee has retired from international cricket.

The 35-year-old was forced to return home early from Australia's one-day tour of England with a calf injury.

And his appearance in the fourth NatWest Series one-day international at Durham – where he took 0-12 off 2.2 overs in an eight-wicket loss – will be his last for his country.

"The last two or three nights I thought about it a lot," Lee told Australia’s Channel 9 today. "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," paceman Brett Lee said after announcing his international retirement

“You get to the point in life where you say enough is enough. People can look back and say I tried my hardest every time I went on to the cricket field.

“You can look at the records and stuff but that doesn’t worry me, what I am proud of is my longevity.”

Lee had been hopeful of playing in the World Twenty20 September and October in Sri Lanka, but his latest injury setback has signalled the end of his international career.

The fast bowler will continue to play domestic cricket for New South Wales in the shorter forms, although he turned down a Cricket NSW 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 international and domestic limited-overs cricket and, in the absence of the likes of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Nathan Bracken, spearheaded the pace attack in the 50-over format of the game.

Lee finished his ODI career with 380 wickets from 221 matches at 23.36 and an economy rate of 4.76.

He also had a handy batting average of 20.15 in Tests and 17.81 in ODIs.

National selector John Inverarity said: "Today one of Australia's most outstanding fast bowlers announced his retirement. 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 added: "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.”