Sydney: Australian pace bowler Brett Lee on Thursday announced he is to retire from all forms of cricket after a 20-year career, saying he was both emotional and excited. The 38-year-old called time on his international commitments in July 2012, but continued to play Twenty20 in both the Australian Big Bash League and the Indian Premier League.

His Sydney Sixers have one Big Bash regular-season match remaining, against cross-town rivals the Sydney Thunder next Thursday at the Sydney Cricket Ground ahead of a possible finals clash. "When that last ball's bowled I'll walk off happy and content," Lee said.

"I'm excited, I'm emotional, I'm happy, but I'm certainly not worried because I know that I've made the right call." Lee played 76 Tests for Australia, taking 310 wickets, and 221 one-dayers with 380 dismissals.

His fastest delivery cracked the 161 kilometres per hour mark (100 miles per hour), with the blond speedster consistently bowling at 150kph over 20 years, making him a fearsome opponent through his sheer pace and toe-crushing inswinging yorkers.

"He has been an exceptional cricketer who gained fans around the world not only for his electrifying pace and performances with the ball, but the way that he played the game," said Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland.

"Sir Donald Bradman often said that it is a player's responsibility to leave the game in a better state than when they first became involved. Brett Lee has certainly done that."