Former Australian speedster Brett Lee extolled the Melbourne Cricket Ground as a perfect venue for ICC World Cup in February-March 2015, including an India - South Africa league match, a quarter-final and final, at Tourism Victoria’s launch of Melbourne as a tourist destination for Indians. Lee, who made his debut against India at the MCG in 1999, dismissed Sachin Tendulkar on quite a few occasions, dabbled with Bollywood music and turned out for Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Now, he is hoping for an India-Australia title match at Melbourne. Lee said that the MCG will encourage fast bowlers, especially afford good bounce. “India needs to find a pace pack with ability to bowl at 140kmph plus speed in order to excel in overseas conditions,'' said Lee.
He also touched upon the following:
Reasons for Australia’s turnaround in the home Ashes series: It is a very simple answer; Australia wants to be in the final of the 2015 World Cup and that is why we have to make sure we play some good cricket now in order to get ready for that. Mitchell Johnson has been outstanding; he has been the turnaround person, bowled fast with aggression and believed in himself during the Brisbane Test.
Retirement of Graeme Smith : He's a great batsman and captain. He was named South Africa's captain when he was in his early 20s. When he did not know about himself, he was asked to lead players who had great aura. He has been a fantastic competitor. He has not had the performance he would have liked to have in the ongoing series against Australia, but he leaves (the scene) as a legend.
Sachin Tendulkar or Brian Lara: For them to be in the same team they have to be in a World XI. And I have to say Sachin because of the aura he carried when he came out to bat. When I was a fresh-faced 23-year-old from the bush at the top of my bowling mark at Melbourne in 1999, I was a looking at a tiny batsman; and his bat was big. I thought to myself that this was the guy I want to play against. I was pinching myself it was not a dream. I thought I can ask him for an autograph rather than bowl to him. It's strange when you get to play against someone who was your hero growing up. And somehow you always found ways to bowl at him with a little bit extra effort. I have waged many a battle against him and was lucky to get him out many times. But I was also at the receiving end; like the hundred (116) he scored at Melbourne in 1999 and also the many hundreds he scored against us all over the world.
