If the well-known song writing duo Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings were cricket fans they would've added the line to their popular hit: "Mammas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys ...or fast bowlers."

On the same day Brett Lee announced the termination of his Test appearances in an attempt to prolong his cricket career, a sprightly Sachin Tendulkar was adding to his glittering reputation by amassing a spectacular double century, the first in a one-day international.

Lee, a genuine fast bowler is aged 33. Tendulkar, a top-order batsman is closing in on 37. Life expectancy may have dramatically improved since the 1960's but the medical advances don't apply to fast bowlers. In his illustrious Test career Dennis Lillee bowled nearly 2000 more deliveries than Lee.u00a0

Tendulkar was in attendance when Lee commenced his 300-wicket Test career with a memorable bag of five at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The difference being, at that stage Tendulkar had already been around for ten years and scored a career worth of centuries, as he compiled his 22nd in that MCG Test. Another decade on and the batsman is still operating like a long-life battery while the fast bowler is rapidly approaching his use-by-date.

The assumption could easily be made that; "Mammas should let their babies grow up to be batsmen."
u00a0
Throughout his career Lee has displayed ample determination to recover from debilitating injuries. He always put in the hard work in the gym and on the running track to ensure each comeback was successful but in the end a serious elbow injury was one operation too many. It's amazing that with so many setbacks he played his cricket with a ready smile and never a snarl.

TWO GOOD: Sachin Tendulkar and Brett Lee. PIC/AFP How do you like the new new mid-day.com experience? Share your feedback and help us improve. Read Next Story SRK to sing, dance for KKR› Trending Stories Latest Photos Latest Videos Latest Web Stories ADVERTISEMENT Mid-Day Fast ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT