Transcript of Excite.com.au Chat

Source: Excite.com.au - July 2001 (Thanks Tanisha for sending this in)

Excite-Moderator: Hi room - how are we all tonight! Ready for Brett - he's really excited to be talking to you tonight so let's get this chat going.

Excite-Moderator: Comment from brett_luver58 : I even dream about you and your team! Please tell your team members that you all have a fan named Carunya,15,female,indian who always keeps prayin when you`re playin!!!!

Excite-Moderator: Question from brett_luver58 : I find some players get irritated when people ask for autographs. Do you too?

Brett-Lee: Hi everyone - thanks for logging on

Brett-Lee: It's great that we've got a great australian cricket team

Brett-Lee: No I always try to give autographs when asked - sometimes it's hard to give them

Excite-Moderator: Amy submitted the question : Was it totally out-of-the blue for you to be playing in the ODI's in the UK, or had you been warned that if Dizzy wasn't quite right, you would be playing?

Excite-Moderator: Comment from sweetbj2 : I love u

Brett-Lee: Totally out of the blue - though I was ready to play - to get the call up

Brett-Lee: I only found out about half an hour before

Brett-Lee: Thanks sweetbj2

Excite-Moderator: Question from brett_luver58 : Brett, How do you feel when someone tells you that you`ve inspired them so much in their life? I'm sayin that now!! You together with your team make my life beautiful!

Brett-Lee: Thankyou - thats a great comment

Excite-Moderator: Andrea submitted question : I was really shocked to hear and watch all the pitch invasions at the games, how did you feel about the firecracker incident as it happened and after?

Brett-Lee: It means a lot to have people say that - you try to play good cricket, and make sure the kids are having fun watching you play cricket

Brett-Lee: Andrea - Pretty tough to go through - you don't have firecrackers thrown at you when you are normally playing cricket - it was just a handful of people but generally the crowd was excellent

Excite-Moderator: Blues_angel submitted questions : What is the difference when playing in Australia, compared to playing in England?

Brett-Lee: It's a shame some spectators spoil it for others

Brett-Lee: Blues-angel - the crowd is right behind you in australia - I actually look at it as a challenge I don't see it as a negative

Excite-Moderator: Kerry Mcgugan : Could you please tell me what brand of cricket ball you prefer to use, and do you have a favourite ball which you have kept from any past matches.

Brett-Lee: Kerry - I like using the kookuburra ball - which we use in australia

Brett-Lee: I do have a couple of match balls which i was given after taking 5 wickets in an innings

Brett-Lee: and funnily enough i was also given a bit of the wicket. That was my 1st game for australia - the Boxing Day test.

Excite-Moderator: Mel Brown submitted question : Do you think you'll bowl as fast as Thommo on tour?

Brett-Lee: I've got a big clump of turf at home

Brett-Lee: Mel Brown - that doesn't really bother me - there's been a lot of hype about the 100miles - I'd much rather take test wickets than break the 100mile

Excite-Moderator: Scott Ayres : Do you think you would have become a famous cricketer if you hadn't gone to the cricket academy?

Brett-Lee: Scott - It certainly helped my career blossom - training under the guide of Rod Marsh

Brett-Lee: So yes it has certainly kickstarted my career in a big way

Excite-Moderator: Question from HugsandKisses_6 : how has cricket inspired you. I mean does an injury make you want even more to play

Brett-Lee: Hugs - it's not fun getting injured - it's a lot more fun when you return and overcome the challenge and play cricket again

Brett-Lee: Cricketers do have setbacks the same as in business and in life - you've got to be strong enough and tough enough to come back

Excite-Moderator: Question from suzie4brett : What is the worst thing about being so popular with the ladies?

Brett-Lee: There's no negative

Brett-Lee: hahahaha

Excite-Moderator: Question from clairy81 : Have you managed to do much sightseeing in England?

Brett-Lee: Yeah - we went to Bucky Palace, checked out Big Ben

Brett-Lee: Went to watch Bon Jovi set up on stage

Brett-Lee: Michael Slater managed to give Jon Bon Jovi a high 5

Excite-Moderator: John Jamison : How did u get the nickname Bing?

Excite-Moderator: Question from amy_is_a_star : Does it blow you away when you go on the net and see how many sites there are dedicated to you?

Brett-Lee: Bing comes from this Chinese fellow in New South Wales - he owns a chain of electrical stores - Bing Lee

Brett-Lee: Got the name when I was about 10 and its just stuck - its better then Sarah-Lee / Daryl Lee

Brett-Lee: Amy - it does actually - people writing all this great stuff - it's embarrassing sometimes - but I know they all mean well

Excite-Moderator: Question from brett_lee_fan : How much fun did you have doing the Cleo bachelor 2001 shots, interviews, those kinds of things?

Brett-Lee: It wasn't my idea - and if I find out who nominated me they're in trouble :) haha

Excite-Moderator: blue_angel : I have a six&out's cd and I love it, what's your fav song and when/where will you guys be performing in syd?

Brett-Lee: I was really embarrassed but it was good fun

Brett-Lee: My fav song is the one I wrote with my brother - called 'Going Away' about 2 of my friends that left Aust and went to England - we played it to them and I think they like it. It was for 2 girls

Brett-Lee:We might be performing around Sydney in the summer time hopefully

Excite-Moderator: Question from luv_brett : brett it is my 15th birthday today..my luck that u are chattin tonight..yay

Brett-Lee: Happy Birthday I hope you've had a great one

Brett-Lee: and you've got heaps of presents

Excite-Moderator: Question from kez_84 : Brett, do you feel any competition with Shoaib Akhtar with the fastest bowler-thing? Also, howz the fashion label doing? I brought a signature t-shirt and I LUV it!! Kez :o)

Brett-Lee:Firstly I'm very good mates with Shoaib Akhtar being near each other - I think we around the same pace anyway. If he was to crack the 100mhr I would be the first to congratulate him

Brett-Lee: The label is going great - we've have a lot of interest

Brett-Lee:That's my other passion outside cricket

Excite-Moderator: Question from shannon_344 : Brett, there have been reports that you may still be having injury worries. Are you well?

Brett-Lee: Yeah I feel great the body feels good ready for the first test

Excite-Moderator: Divya : What do you do other than playing cricket and play in the band?

Brett-Lee: I don't have that much time to relax - when I'm back at home I'm working in Barclay's mens wear in CentrePoint - I find that a great out from cricket

Excite-Moderator: Comment from sweetbj2 : tell your brother Grant I luv him too and if u don't mind tell Shane too thanxs

Excite-Moderator: Peter & Sam Willigen : I play district cricket in Geelong and I am an opening pace bowler, at present I'm having trouble with my off cutter, seems to be too full, it doesn't always cut -do you have a suggestion that may help

Brett-Lee: Try pointing the seam towards fine leg

Excite-Moderator: Comment from karenvidler : not my birthday but my son josh is eagerly listening you are a true inspiration to him in his cricket

Brett-Lee: Thanks Karen - I wish Josh all the best with his cricket - he can take my spot

Excite-Moderator: Question from imenton : What is your favourite ground to play at?

Brett-Lee:The Sydney Cricket Ground

Brett-Lee:That's where I made my debut

Excite-Moderator: The Egans : "Reflecting back on your cricket career, can you pinpoint the time that your game turned from standard weekend to something as great as it is now."

Brett-Lee:It's pretty hard to go past your home turf

Excite-Moderator: Comment from luv_brett : Brett..on behalf of australia..we wish you and the tean best of wishes in the tour!! good luck guys...love Australia

Brett-Lee: The Egans - probably at the age of 16 - I played 1st grade for Campbelltown

Brett-Lee: And I was lucky enough too dismiss a couple of NSW players - who I was playing with at the time

Brett-Lee:Got the confidence

Excite-Moderator: Question from suzie4brett : Out of the Aussie team who would u say is your "best buddy?

Brett-Lee: Thanks we'll try and do you all proud

Brett-Lee: Suzie - I get on really we'll with Jason Gillespie

Brett-Lee: and Shane Warne has been a huge influence

Excite-Moderator: Mel Brown : If you were forced on a deserted island and you could take 5 things / people, what or who would they be?

Brett-Lee: Mel - pair of swimmers, a guitar, Sandra Bullock, big hat - it would be very hot and a laptop - so I could keep chatting to all you guys

Excite-Moderator: Question from _miss_dragon : what other sports do you follow in your spare time

Brett-Lee: Miss Dragon - I like watching the St George/Illawarra Dragons play, But I also like watching the golf on TV

Excite-Moderator: Comment from luv_brett : i have done about 4 assignments on you..and i have gotten all A`s..

Brett-Lee: Thanks - keep up the good work

Brett-Lee: That's your talent not mine

Excite-Moderator: Question from dm_gal : is an ashes tour the ultimate goal for you?

Brett-Lee: DM - Absolutely - I had 2 dreams when I was a young kid - a baggy green cap and to play the Ashes

Brett-Lee: It is the ultimate in cricket

Excite-Moderator: Question from dm_gal : what is the general atmosphere in the team leading up to the ashes

Excite-Moderator: Sheree Jones : You are the fastest bowler in the world today and batsmen must fear you sometimes. Which bowlers do you fear when you go into bat?

Brett-Lee: The quicks - Shoaib Akhtar, Darren Gough

Brett-Lee: DM - It's a very positive feeling - probably a few nerves but much more anxious to get out there and play some really good cricket

Excite-Moderator: Question from brett_luver58 : BRETT, PLS SAY ..WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST KISS AND WHO WAS THE LUCKY GIRL?

Brett-Lee: I was in Year 6 - and kissed on the lips for the first time from my girlfriend of about 2 weeks :) lol

Brett-Lee: Not sure who was more scared me or her

Excite-Moderator: Question from go_aussies : Do you have much time for a personal life outside of cricket?

Brett-Lee: Go - I always try and catch up with my mates when I get back to Sydney and Wollongong - to see family and friends

Excite-Moderator: Michealla Andrews : What is the most memorable thing anyone has done for you?

Brett-Lee: Michealla - I'd probably have to say my parents when I was a young kid. Very lucky to have great parents

Excite-Moderator: Question from kerry_aussiegal : who are the practical jokers in the aussie team?

Brett-Lee: Kerry - not a hard question at all - Glen McGrath - he's always doing something to the guys - like tying shoelaces that sort of thing - he's great to have around I think you need that in a side

Excite-Moderator: Anne Bignold : Do you like your parents and friends watching at the game or do you prefer them to watch you on TV?

Brett-Lee: Anne - I actually love my parent to watch at the games - they are actually coming over next week to watch me here in England

Brett-Lee:I think it's important that the parents support and show interest as long as they're not pushing the kids to play

Excite-Moderator: Jaime Wilson : You're coming to my house for dinner (ha I wish) what food would win you over?

Brett-Lee: Jaime - an Apricot Chicken or a Lasanga - that would get me every time

Excite-Moderator: Judith meyers : Do you think it is odd when fans turn up at Barclays?

Brett-Lee: I usually do all the cooking - I love it.

Brett-Lee: Judith - No it's great and it's great when they show support for my label

Brett-Lee: Hopefully they like the clothing

Excite-Moderator: Anonymous Question : im trying out for the ccc cricket team and i have trouble keeping the ball on the pitch any suggestions?

Brett-Lee: How old are you Anonymous?

Excite-Moderator: Anonymous Comment : 15

Brett-Lee: Keep working really hard in the nets, be confident and back your own ability - make it as simple as can be don't complicate your action.

Brett-Lee: Thank you everyone who logged on - it means a lot to have all this support and if you are ever at a game I'm at come up and say hi -

Brett-Lee: Good luck with all that you do whether it be in cricket or in life generally

Brett-Lee: I'll make sure we win The Ashes for you all.