He may not have been granted the fairytale finish he yearned for, but Brett Lee's Sydney Sixers teammates say he will be remembered as one of cricket's greats.
Lee fell agonisingly short of retiring on top after the Perth Scorchers scored a thrilling last-ball win in the Big Bash League final at Manuka Oval in Canberra on Wednesday.
Scorchers paceman Arafat hit a single off the last ball, avoiding a Lee hat-trick, as Perth reached 6-148 to fall over the line and secure back-to-back titles.
Lee finished with 3-25 with all three of his victims coming at key moments.
First he removed Michael Klinger (33 off 37) when he and Shaun Marsh (73 off 59) had the Scorchers cruising in their run chase.
He then skittled Nathan Coulter-Nile and Sam Whiteman with back-to-back balls in the final over.
"There's so much to say about Brett Lee, I hope there are lots of stories written about him and lots of tributes because he's had such a fantastic career," Sixers captain Moises Henriques said.
"He's such a good human being and that doesn't get said about too many blokes in professional sport, especially guys that have been around for the best part of 20 years, he's such a humble man.
"We've been graced to have him at the Sixers for the last four years. He's great to have in the changeroom.
"He's great to have on the field. But to have someone that you enjoy being around as company, with that sort of experience, is fantastic for us."
The game brought to an end a professional career that spanned nearly 20 years.
After making his first-class debut for NSW in 1998, the 38-year-old went on to become Australia's fourth-highest Test wicket-taker, wearing the baggy green on 76 occasions and playing 221 ODIs.
Henriques said his attempts to persuade Lee to play on in this year's Champion's League and next year's BBL had been fruitless.
"I've already been trying for the last month, I've been trying to get another year out of him," Henriques said.
"He's still bowling quick and still bowling well.
"It's not his body that's giving in to him, it's just mentally it's enough for him.
"He's still good enough to perform at this level so as we saw (in the final, taking) 3-25 and performing under pressure and performing well.
"It won't be through lack of trying on my part but he won't be playing in the Champions League or next year."
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