NSW drops misconduct charges against Lee

Former Australia speedster Brett Lee has escaped punishment for his criticism of NSW CEO David Gilbert as the misconduct charges against him were dropped by Cricket New South Wales (NSW) on Wednesday.

Last Month, Lee had criticised Gilbert and called for his sacking but the veteran seamer was let off the hook and instead invited to join a sub-committee of NSW board, which will be set up immediately, to "address issues as to the future direction of cricket in NSW."

Lee, who plays for Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, was reported to Cricket Australia by Cricket NSW and slapped with two charges following his outburst against NSW officials.

"Both parties are very pleased to have found a way forward and at having arrived at a very positive mutual outcome," Cricket NSW said in a statement.

"Brett Lee looks forward very much to working constructively with Cricket New South Wales into the future."

Lee had questioned the appointment of Anthony Stuart ahead of Trevor Bayliss as coach and the departure of young batsmen Phil Hughes and Usman Khawaja to rival states -– where they have since catapulted themselves back into the Australian Test set-up.

Lee was happy with the decision and said that common sense had prevailed.

"I'm really happy they've dropped all charges. I think the game will be a lot better off now moving forward because there's a chance to meet with the sub-committee of the board and express my views on the way to improve it," Lee was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald.

"I'm happy with the outcome, I'm happy with the way things progressed."

"The last 10 years it [Cricket NSW] has been going through some tough times. I'm actually looking forward to improving that and getting NSW back to where it was.

"I bleed blue and that's a huge part of me."