Watch: Brett Lee hits Brendon McCullum with a 142kmph beamer

The Australian fast bowler Brett Lee bowled a dangerous beamer to New Zealand’s wicket-keeper batsman Brendon McCullum during the third ODI between New Zealand and Australia. It was the 41st over of the New Zealand’s innings when Lee ran down hard and bowled a full toss which turned into a beamer hit McCullum on the arm. The home side needed 96 from 58 balls at that stage.

Pursuing another daunting target after Michael Clarke hit a classy fifty, New Zealand lost Stephen Fleming for a third successive single-figure score. Then Papps, who had been brought in for Mathew Sinclair, was caught in two minds against the fierce pace of Lee. Struck full on the helmet, he retired hurt, spent the night in the hospital and was not seen again during the series.

Lee had already caused more damage to Fleming’s poor series, forcing him to play on for 1 and adding to his scores of 5 and 1 at Wellington and Christchurch (7 for 1). Astle survived the early spell but could not escape the threat of Michael Kasprowicz, who found his edge as he tried to cut too close to his body (45 for 2). The situation was actually worse as it did not account for the injury to Papps.

The New Zealand coach John Bracewell kept battling, though. He said that Lee – who late in the game hit McCullum on the arm with a full toss – might be sued if he continued to bowl beamers in the litigious climate of Australia. Lee claimed it was accidental and immediately apologised – an apology which McCullum afterwards accepted.

Watch: Brett Lee hits Brendon McCullum with a 142kmph beamer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WE0naNUhefY