Sometimes it happens that an older sibling lives in the shadow of a younger one. In the case of Shane Lee, a former Aussie all-rounder, this holds true. Shane is better known as the older brother of Brett Lee, although he was no slouch as a cricketer. The blond-haired all-rounder even captained his State side, New South Wales (NSW) on the Australian domestic circuit before injury forced him to retire before he turned 30.
Born in Wollongong, New South Wales on August 8, 1973, Shane developed into a powerful hitter of the ball and a cunning right-arm medium fast bowler. After making his First Class debut in the 1992/93 season, he earned selection to the Australian one-day squad in a home series against the West Indies in 1996. In that game, Shane smashed 39 runs from only 27 balls and took one wicket for 20 runs from seven overs to help Australia to a massive 121-run victory.
The NSW all-rounder managed to play 45 One Day Internationals for Australia between 1996 and 2001, generally as a fringe player. He distinguished himself sufficiently in his international career, although he did not have the privilege of wearing the "Baggy Greens" of the Australian Test side. From his 45 ODIs, Shane took 48 wickets at an average of 25.93. With an economy rate of 4.37 runs per over, bowling a good line and length was his strength. With the bat, the former NSW captain accrued 1245 runs at an average of 17.66. His career batting strike rate was an impressive 95.40-in an era where big-hitting and free scoring was not commonplace.
At First Class level, Shane Lee played for New South Wales, Somerset and Worcestershire. His style of bowling-using the seam-suited English conditions well. From 93 First Class fixtures, Shane scalped only 150 wickets at an average of 40.52. His strike rate of 67.9 suggests that he did not bowl too often. The robust all-rounder has far better statistics with the bat, however. He accumulated 5071 runs at an average of 39.31, with 12 centuries and 24 half-centuries. An unbeaten 183 runs represents his highest First Class score.
Shane Lee last played for Australia in 2001, when they toured India. He only bowled three economical overs in that match, as Australia won by 93 runs. Lee only managed one more season in First Class cricket before he called it quits at age 29. His recurrent knee problems got the better of him and curtailed his promising career, leaving his brother-the esteemed Brett Lee-to take up the mantle.
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