‘‘It has been a dream career, I guess, 13 years at the top. I couldn’t ask for much more,’’ Lee said to Channel Nine news earlier in the day.

"Thirteen years, Friday the 13th, it's appropriate for me to go," Lee said. ‘‘I woke up this morning after not much sleep and it’s the right time to go. It just came to me this morning and I just felt it’s the right time to leave the game. It’s been in the back of my mind for a few months," he added.

Though the Cricket Australia (CA) was keen for the 35-year-old speedster to continue until the upcoming World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka, Lee decided to leave the game he was not physically and mentally fit to take the challenge.

"I thought I would go over there and try and play the Twenty20 World Cup [in Sri Lanka in September], but [being] mentally and physically challenged, it would just not be worth it," Lee said. "In a team environment you have to have 100 per cent commitment, mentally and physically. And looking at the next few months I just didn't have that desire any more. It wouldn't be fair on me or the team. You get to a point in life when enough's enough."

Lee, however, will continue to play in the Big Bash League and Indian Premier League.

The 35-year-old paceman, who retired from Test cricket in February 2010 to prolong his limited-overs cricket, injured his calf muscle in the recently concluded one-day international series against England and returned home early, along with allrounder Shane Watson - who suffered the same injury.

Lee was not awarded a central contract in the latest round of agreements by the CA and he declined to continue his stint with New South Wales.

Lee, who had side strains, stress fractures and ankle problems throughout his career, took 310 wickets in 76 Tests and clinched 380 wickets from 221 ODIs. He also represented Kings XI Punjab and is now part of Kolkata Knight Riders’ squad in the IPL.