SHANE Lee, who played a handful of matches for Worcestershire last season, has retired from cricket due to a chronic knee injury.

The former one-day international and New South Wales state captain replaced fellow Australian Andy Bichel for a brief spell at New Road last year.

He was soon on his way back home, however, due to injury problems.

Lee's career included 45 one-day internationals for Australia, a record 59 domestic one-day matches and 73 first-class matches for New South Wales.

The brother of Test fast bowler Brett Lee scored 477 runs for Australia at an average of 17.67 and took 48 wickets at an average of 25.94.

Lee scored 3,690 runs for New South Wales in first class matches at an average of 35.14 and took 102 wickets at 41.05.