Johannesburg: Injuries ravaged his body but retired Australian fast bowler Brett Lee says he never thought of cutting down pace and he wants to pass on this "never say die attitude" to the next generation before quitting cricket completely.
"My love and passion for the game helped me overcome the tough phases. The day will come eventually when I`ll retire from cricket and I don`t know when that day is going to be, but I want to be a good leader to the guys coming through," lee, who now plays for Kolkata Knight Riders besides turning up for his domestic team in Australia, said.
"I want to make sure that I pass a bit of a legacy and the never say die attitude," said the 35-year-old, who is playing for KKR in the ongoing Champions League Twenty20.
Lee, who underwent 14 surgeries on his body before calling it quits at the international level earlier this year, said he always wanted to be a tearaway bowler and could not compromise on that front despite breaking down time and again in his 13-year international career.
"I don`t want to bowl slow; I want to bowl as quick as I can. Bowling fast is all I`ve ever wanted to do."
Lee, a part-time musician and model, is one of the most affable figures in cricket. The bowler said he takes pride in being considered a friendly person.
"I play my cricket very seriously and always give my 100 percent. But when you`re off the field, you`ve also got to enjoy. I`ve got many friends through cricket and I`m very proud to say that I`ve done that," lee said.
With 718 scalps across all formats, he finished as Australia`s third highest wicket-taker after Shane Warne (999) and Glenn McGrath (943).
The pacer has dismissed Indian batting icon Sachin Tendulkar more times than any other bowler -- 14 times in 42 international matches but the Australian prefers to call it luck.
"I try to up the ante when playing against the best; it brings out the best in me as well. I`ve been lucky I`ve been able to get him out a few times."
PTI
First Published: Sunday, October 14, 2012, 16:08