Image: Brett Lee style impressed Steve Waugh, leading to his selection and a first Test wicket at the MCG / © The Independent
Australia’s former speedster, Brett Lee, revealed the events leading up to his debut in the 1999 Boxing Day Test against India. At 23, Lee was called up after impressing in a Sheffield Shield match where he broke the arm of Jo Angel.
Lee confessed that he wasn’t proud of the moment when he warned Angel, saying, “Either get out or I’ll break your arm”, but it worked in his favor. Steve Waugh, impressed by his fiery performance, recommended Lee for the Test team, claiming that “Indians will hate facing him”. He said:
There was a moment which I’m not particularly proud of. I warned Jo, “You’ve got two options here, mate. Either tread on your wicket and get out, or I’ll come around the wicket and break your arm”. I felt horrible. It is weird because being an Australian and having 100,000 people there — 90-odd thousand were barracking for Australia — and being the new kid on the block, I think a lot of people want to see that young kid do well.
Lee made an instant impact, taking the wicket of Sadagopan Ramesh in his fourth delivery. Despite the pressure of playing in front of 90,000 fans at the MCG, Lee found the experience surreal and unforgettable. He was thrilled to play alongside legends like Steve and Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, and Shane Warne.