ContinueAustralian fast bowler Brett Lee has announced his retirement from the international game after admitting that he no longer had the desire to keep playing at the highest level.
The 35-year-old was forced to return home from Australia's one-day tour of England after the third game after picking up a calf injury.
It had been thought that he would remain in international cricket until the Twenty20 World Cup which takes place in August and September in Sri Lanka.
However, he has decided that it is time to call an end to a wonderful playing career that has seen him take 310 Test wickets in just 76 matches.
"The last two or three nights I thought about it a lot," Lee told Australia's Channel 9. "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."
Lee had already retired from Test cricket back in February 2010 but he continued to play the short format of the game and has now ended his career just one wicket short of the record of Glen McGrath.
McGrath took 381 wickets, while Lee has now retired after taking 380 in just 221 matches at an average of 23.36.
He will continue to play domestically for New South Wales in the short format of the game, while he may also continue to play in the Indian Premier League.
