Star Australian paceman Brett Lee confirmed yesterday that the breakdown of his marriage was behind his decision to miss the upcoming one-day series against Bangladesh.
Cricket Australia (CA) announced on Wednesday that Lee would miss the three-match series for personal reasons, and rumors immediately surfaced that it was because his two-year marriage to Liz Kemp was over.
A number of newspaper reports yesterday pointed to marital problems and the 31-year-old confirmed that was the reason in a brief statement released through CA.
“We have been caught by surprise as to how quickly our situation has become public,” Lee said in the statement. “It is with regret that I confirm today’s media reports are correct and that Liz and I have decided to separate. Given the personal nature of the matter I ask that you please respect our privacy as we attempt to deal with this sensitive situation.”
Lee said he would be making no further comment on the issue.
He and Kemp married in June 2006 in a lavish ceremony, after Lee proposed to the podiatrist on a tour of South Africa.
Their son, Preston, was born later that year.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the relationship had been on the rocks for a couple of months, the news breaking just days after the fast bowler launched his own brand of men’s underwear.
In a surprise move, Lee was replaced for the three-match series by Tasmanian Brett Geeves, who has not previously played for Australia.
Australia were already without captain Ricky Ponting for the series, while he recovers from wrist surgery.
Opener Matthew Hayden has been named for the series, despite lingering concerns over an Achilles injury.
All three matches will be played in Darwin, on Aug. 30, Sept. 3 and Sept. 6.
The series is currently scheduled to be followed by the troubled Champions Trophy in Pakistan.
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
A stunning Lamine Yamal strike on Thursday helped crown Barcelona La Liga champions with a 2-0 win over local rivals RCD Espanyol, with victory ensuring Real Madrid cannot catch them at the top of the table. Yamal’s effort and Fermin Lopez’s goal took Hansi Flick’s side seven points clear of Los Blancos with two matches remaining, to clinch Barcelona’s 28th title and complete a superb domestic treble. Only the UEFA Champions League title escaped an exciting young Barca side this season, as they won the league for the second time in six years, at Espanyol’s ground again just as in 2022-2023. Back then,
Jannik Sinner on Thursday marched into the semi-finals of the Italian Open after destroying Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-0, 6-1, while Coco Gauff won a marathon three-set battle with China’s Zheng Qinwen to advance to the women’s singles final. American Gauff is to face Italy’s Jasmine Paolini in today’s title match after pulling through 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) in a match that lasted over three-and-a-half hours. Ruud was supposed to be Sinner’s toughest test in Rome since he came back from his three-month doping ban, as the Norwegian came into the match in hot form on clay after winning in
Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike on Tuesday upstaged Kevin de Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell. Marmoush let fly from about 30m to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left qualification for the UEFA Champions League in their own hands heading into the last round of the season. “It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened [this season] will be really nice,” the City manager said. De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before