Lee’s bowling action not totally convincing: Lillee
PERTH: Australian fast bowling legend Dennis Lillee added to the controversy over speedster Brett Lee’s action on Sunday by saying there had been times when it “has not looked great”.
The 26-year-old Lee has caused England’s batsmen major problems in the third Test here, grabbing three first innings wickets, but some pundits have again raised questions about the legitimacy of his action.
Doubts first surfaced after Lee made his Test debut three summers ago but he was cleared after being scrutinised by the International Cricket Council (ICC). While saying that, overall, he did not have a problem with Lee’s explosive action, Lillee said: "I have seen him right throughout his career, and there have been times when it (his action) has not looked great.
"But it depends on what type of ball is bowled, whether you are bowling a leg-cutter or an inswinger, compared to an outswinger. One of the most important things in whether a bowler throws or not is when you turn your hand over – if you turn your hand over high in the delivery action you start to get problems. If you do it down the bottom, it is very hard to throw the ball.
“Overall, I have never had a problem with Brett Lee. I have had a problem with some other bowlers, but I am not going to mention their names.” Lillee, who grabbed 355 wickets in his Test career, said authorities needed to continue monitoring bowlers with a suspect action. “You cannot just clear someone,” he said. "You can clear them for that game, for those overs, or for that ball, but you cannot clear them totally.
I agree with Umair. I only posted what I found. Overall I havent seen any problem with Lee's action during the times I have seen him play. When firing all guns he is a treat to watch. His only problem is his economoy rate. While Shoaib also goes for runs, he economy is still better then Lee's. I think Shoaib and Lee are both unlucky that they both are playing in teams full of great bowlers. Had they been in any other team they would have taken a lot more wickets. But with the likes of Mcgrath, Warne, Waqar & Wasim whatever these two have acomplished so far should be given a lot of credit.