Brett Lee celebrating his hat-trick.
Brett
Lee was one of cricket's most charismatic characters. He was also one
the the game's most fearful bowlers. Pace, discipline, guile and
accuracy - Lee vaunted of every currency that was needed to be a
successful fast bowler. The 2003 World Cup saw Lee bowl at the peak of
his powers, helping the Australians defend their crown with a rich haul
of 22 wickets at an outstanding average of 17.90.
On his way to becoming a World Champion, the right-armer also became the first Australian to claim a World Cup hat-trick as he wreaked havoc against Kenya in the super-six game.
After choosing to bowl first, Lee sent the high-flying Kenya side crashing down to earth with a lethal spell of pace bowling.
Kennedy Otieno was surprised by a sharp bouncer that caught his elbow before hitting the stumps. The short delivery left the batsman rolling on the ground, writhing in pain, and Lee was quick to cut short his celebration and run to his counterpart to ensure he was alright. Otieno had to be helped off the field by his teammates.
Lee needed little time to switch back to his lethal best. Brijal Patel followed Otieno back to the pavillion, one ball later. A length delivery that had the batsman playing forward, seamed away just enough to take the outside edge. Ricky Ponting, standing at second slip, gobbled up a fine catch.
David Obuya was next in. And against an in-form Brett Lee, he had a hard task on his hands. As it happened, the task lasted only one delivery. Lee stunned the right-hander with a vicious yorker. Obuya's bat came down a little too late, Lee was already on his way celebrating - He had become the first ever Australian to claim a hat-trick in World Cups.
The three balls perfectly summed up what Lee was capable of. A storming short delivery that could do some massive damage; the perfect length delivery to induce the edge and bring the people behind the stumps into play, and the perfect yorker that can catch even the best batsmen off guard.
On his way to becoming a World Champion, the right-armer also became the first Australian to claim a World Cup hat-trick as he wreaked havoc against Kenya in the super-six game.
After choosing to bowl first, Lee sent the high-flying Kenya side crashing down to earth with a lethal spell of pace bowling.
Kennedy Otieno was surprised by a sharp bouncer that caught his elbow before hitting the stumps. The short delivery left the batsman rolling on the ground, writhing in pain, and Lee was quick to cut short his celebration and run to his counterpart to ensure he was alright. Otieno had to be helped off the field by his teammates.
Lee needed little time to switch back to his lethal best. Brijal Patel followed Otieno back to the pavillion, one ball later. A length delivery that had the batsman playing forward, seamed away just enough to take the outside edge. Ricky Ponting, standing at second slip, gobbled up a fine catch.
David Obuya was next in. And against an in-form Brett Lee, he had a hard task on his hands. As it happened, the task lasted only one delivery. Lee stunned the right-hander with a vicious yorker. Obuya's bat came down a little too late, Lee was already on his way celebrating - He had become the first ever Australian to claim a hat-trick in World Cups.
The three balls perfectly summed up what Lee was capable of. A storming short delivery that could do some massive damage; the perfect length delivery to induce the edge and bring the people behind the stumps into play, and the perfect yorker that can catch even the best batsmen off guard.
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