Brett Lee says only regret is not moving to Dubai sooner

Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, who turned 50 on 8 November 2026, said relocating to Dubai 15 months ago was one of the best decisions he ever made, and his sole regret is not doing it earlier. In an interview with Khaleej Times, Lee described the UAE as the safest place on earth and said his children are now learning Arabic at a school with 200 different cultures.

Lee, who now lives in Dubai with his family, admitted that 17 months ago he had not considered moving to the UAE. The country was always a stopover during his playing days, but a commercial opportunity prompted his family to leave their comfortable life in Australia. ‘The only regret I have in my life is that I did not come over here earlier,’ he said.

Ambassador for UAE’s first licensed wagering platform

Lee is the brand ambassador for Play971, the UAE’s first licensed sports wagering and gaming platform. He said he was proud to be associated with a company that shares his values of integrity, fun, community and respect. The partnership, he noted, was months in the making and involved many conversations and meetings to align brands.

‘This has taken months of planning, and making sure that first and foremost that our brands aligned,’ Lee said. ‘What Play971 stands for: integrity, fun element, engagement, community with the sporting fans. That’s what I’ve tried to build throughout my whole life, so I guess, it’s a match made in heaven.’

Overcoming a broken back to play for Australia

Lee’s career almost ended before it began. At age 17, he was diagnosed with a complete fracture in his lower back. A specialist told him he would never bowl fast again and suggested he try batting or another sport. Lee refused to accept that prognosis. ‘I had set my mind from the age of nine that I was going to play for Australia,’ he said. ‘I said, “Look, I appreciate your guidance, and I appreciate you’re a doctor, but I am going to play for Australia. I’m going to bowl 160kmph, and when I do, I’ll get you two tickets to my first Test match.”‘

Lee kept his word. His Test debut came against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in a Boxing Day Test. He took five wickets in the first innings and later gave the doctor match tickets, asking him to arrange his own flights. ‘We’re all happy,’ he recalled.

The Australian paceman built a special bond with Indian fans over his career. He noted that many of his childhood doctors were of Indian heritage, and he has always felt an Indian connection around him. That bond remains strong today, with Lee being mobbed whenever he visits India.

Healthy ageing and backyard cricket

Lee will speak at the KT Luxe Healthy Ageing Summit 2026 on 25 November. He said healthy living and longevity are passions of his, and he wants to stay as fit as possible for his children. ‘I want to be that healthy adult moving into stage two of my life, or the second innings, if you want to use a cricket analogy,’ he said.

Now retired from professional cricket — he officially retired in 2015 and last year played in the Masters Leagues — Lee enjoys playing backyard cricket with his children in Dubai. He reflected on his childhood in Australia, where he played with his brothers Shane and Grant. Lee described Grant as the most talented and himself as the least talented but the hungriest. ‘Hunger incorporates discipline, commitment and sacrifice. If you want it enough, you’ll achieve it,’ he said.