More storm for Brett Lee

Australian fast bowler Brett Lee is considering legal action against a women's magazine here.

More storm for Brett Lee

Left out of the Australian squad for the ODI series against Pakistan, starting in the UAE next week because of lack of fitness, Lee is now in South Africa for the IPL.

Women's Day magazine recently published an interview, which Lee denies he gave, about 32-year old Lee's life as a single dad after the break-up of his marriage.

"I'm really disgusted by it on so many levels," Lee said in Johannesburg yesterday.

CAUGHT UP: Australia pacer Brett Lee

"I was asked one question about my son Preston does he eat Weetbix (a cereal) and I said, 'Of course he does'.

"Then this is turned into me talking about my life as a single dad and all these old pictures are pulled from everywhere. Firstly, I never talk about my son or my personal life and I never will.

"Now it comes across as me selling my story about my son. I want to make it very clear that is not the case and never will be.

"It was not a paid interview. The article has caused a lot of hurt and tension. Liz (Lee's estranged wife) and I are trying our best to bring up a little boy and this kind of thing doesn't help at all. I can't begin to describe how annoyed I am."

A blurb of the professed interview says: "The cricketing legend opens up about his toughest year ever and how he bowled Bollywood over."

The article starts off by saying: "Brett Lee always seemed like the boy who had everything: a glittering cricket career, a successful fashion label, pop stardom in India, and a glamorous wife and adorable two-year-old son".

It goes on: "But last year his world came crashing down, first with the collapse of his marriage to wife Liz and then with poor form and a painful ankle injury that would put him out of the game for months.

"But in the same way he's fought back time and again on the pitch, Brett has picked himself up and is now ready to throw himself back into the game and reclaim his crown as one of the world's fastest bowlers."

In the so-called "exclusive" interview, Lee talks about "the pain of the past year", his role as ambassador for two consumer products and his love for his young son.

In the article, Lee is asked if it is "hard" to travel now that he has a son, to which he replies: "Yes, but like any person who travels for work, you find a way to get through it. It's not going to be for the next 20 years u00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u00a6 we talk on the phone."

Then he is asked: "You're a huge celebrity in India, where you've had a No 1 song with the singer Asha Bhosle. How do you plan to extend your music career?

Lee's reply: "Asha's the most famous person in India she's a legend. People have taken the micky out of me, but I had fun.

"How many other people can say they've had a No.1 hit in India? I've also done a Bollywood movie. I've made a promise to myself that if something makes me happy, then I'm going to give it a go.

"People think too much about what others think. If you enjoy it, just do it. Music, fashion it's what I like doing. Life for me is not just about bowling fast."

To the question why India has "embraced" him, Lee replies: "I embraced it. There are 1.3 billion people there and they all love cricket. They smother me with love. I've learnt some Hindi and if I just say one word, it makes a person smile."

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