Former Australian pace bowler turned movie matinee idol Brett Lee has warned against burdening Mitchell Starc with the label as the nation's No.1 bowler.
Starc, who was voted the best player in the World Cup tournament earlier this year, has been in outstanding touch for NSW in the Matador Cup and produced lively deliveries on pitches with little life.
Lee took time out from promoting his first feature film unindian to point out the hazards of bestowing titles on players such as Starc – who he conceded has been the top bowler – when they may not want them.
"I think Australia needs to be very careful because they don't need to pinpoint one person as the 'best' bowler," said Lee, a member of the Channel Nine commentary team. "I think we, as commentators or journalists, sometimes feel we need to do that.
"I've been guilty of saying so-and-so needs to step up and be the man but sometimes that can put a lot of pressure on someone.
"Mitchell Starc may not want what can be perceived as added pressure so he can do his business without feeling as though there's pressure on him.
"There are two types of people. One is the person who steps up like Glenn McGrath when he wants to be the man and dominates the other side and then there's other people who like to fly under the radar and I think Mitchell Starc may be that.
"So, I wouldn't want people to put a lot of pressure on him, even though there's no doubt whatsoever that he's been the No.1 bowler."
Lee, who retired from cricket last year after helping spearhead the Sydney Sixers to the Big Bash League final, said he's heartened that Starc is a member of a pace attack that's rich in great qualities.
"You wouldn't find four better blokes than Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Johnson and Pat Cummins and their qualities as men are so important for Australia because as we rebuild our team we need great blokes. We need solid blokes who put their team first and it's pleasing we've already seen that from our bowlers."
Lights, camera, action: Director Anupam Sharma and Brett Lee, who stars in unindian, at Govindas Restaurant in Sydney. Photo: Janie Barrett
Lee has lived the life of a Hollywood superstar this week promoting the romantic comedy unindian, which premiered in Sydney on Wednesday to thunderous applause.
As a cricketer who made his Test debut in 1999 alongside the Waugh brothers, Adam Gilchrist, Justin Langer and Ricky Ponting, he's started his acting career with a stellar cast, including accomplished Indian actress Tannishtha Chatterjee, Lee's love interest in a movie with many layers to it.
Lee said he refused to allow the fear of leaving his comfort zone to deny him a priceless opportunity.
"I've looked after my reputation for 20 years and I never wanted to do anything that my parents would see me on the front page for the wrong reason," he said. "That's how I've lived my life but, when you branch off and do something different, you open yourself to scrutiny."
