‘Cricket’s about having fun!’says Brett Lee

“Namaste”, Australian pace bowler Brett Lee greets us. He’s in Mumbai again, for two reasons – to participate in yesterday’s IPL match and talk about the Cricket Education Program (a joint venture by Cricket Australia and Cricket India Academy run by Unmesh Joshi and Raju Poddar of SEDIL — Sports Education Development India Ltd) of which he is the brand ambassador.
“Cricket is more than just a sport, it also imparts values like leadership, teamwork, work ethics and integrity. It’s all about having fun, playing fair and giving it your best effort,” Brett flashes his 100 watt smile.
Speaking of best effort, his IPL team, Preity Zinta’s Punjab, is not at their best this season, currently holding the last spot in the points table. “We’re not a bad team, our leadership is brilliant and we’re doing all the right things. I guess we’re just not clicking this time, we’re not consistent either with the bat, ball or in the field,” Brett ponders. But there are matches still to go, and Brett’s all charged up. Just as he gets charged up when bowling to the Master Blaster, who he admits is his favourite batsman to bowl to. “It’s always a challenge bowling to Sachin Tendulkar,” the smile flashes again.
What else excites Brett? Music, of course, he’s part of a professional Australian rock band ‘Six & Out’ for which he strums the guitar and sometimes plays the keyboards! Now that he’s retired from Test cricket, will he give more time to his band, maybe make it his full-time profession when he finally pulls his socks up? “I’m giving my other passions, music and fashion, enough time and attention even now! Why wait for retirement?”
And while he’s still in action, he keeps coming to India, to Mumbai. “I love Mumbai and everything about it. It’s unexpected, colourful, challenging, exciting, incredible, put it in as many words as you wish you still won’t be able to describe Mumbai! I love the enthusiasm of the people here, I don’t get so much attention in one place at one time as I do in India! It’s also amazing how crazy about cricket Indian fans are, you see them playing in parks, open grounds, practically anywhere!” And does he like Indian chatpata khana? “Nah, I’m a pretty simple guy, I just love my butter chicken!”
We wrap up the interview and Brett poses for the shutterbugs. He sits, stands, leans against the window and then politely asks, “Theek hai?” We say yes, perfect...