Tired of battling one injury breakdown after another and to prolong his international limited-over cricket career, Australian pacer Brett Lee today announced his retirement from the test cricket.

Announcing his retirement, 33-year-old Lee said that he was retiring from this (test) form of the game so that he can preserve his body and continue to represent his country.

Lee, who has been bothered by injuries which have restricted him to 76 tests since his debut in 1999-2000, has not played any test since January 2009.

Presently, he is nursing an elbow injury.

The Australian fast bowler, fourth on the all-time list of Australian wicket-takers after Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Dennis Lille, had claimed 310 test wickets at an average of 30.81.