Tendulkar, Warne, Lara.... are irreplaceable jewels: Lee

New Delhi, Aug 21 (UNI) As the curtain is slowly coming down on the careers of game's biggest names with India's 'Big Three' next on the line, Australia speedster Brett Lee believes players of Tendulkar, Warne, McGrath and Lara's stature would be hard to fill in years to come.

Commenting on the final phase of India's ''Big Three's'' career, which saw the trio opting out of next month's Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa, the multifaceted Aussie pacer said it would be an unrealisable loss for cricket when Tendulkar, Ganguly and Dravid draws an end to their illustrious international career.

''There are no replacement for players like Sachin, Sourav, Dravid, Shane (Warne), McGrath and Lara. They are the most amazing players of the game,'' said Lee who is also popularly known as 'Bing Lee', named after a Chinese electrical store.

''People can only get closer to these players but can never fill in their place,'' he added.

The 31-year-old paceman who missed the Caribbean World Cup earlier this year due an injury, however, feels that the Indian master blaster has still some years left in his illustrious career, but quickly pointed out that oneday or the other, the cricketing fraternity has to face the truth of their departure, as it is inevitable.

''I personally feel that Sachin (Tendulkar) has plenty to offer to the game. I would love to see him continue with his game for as long as possible,'' Lee said on the sidelines of a Timex collection launch programm in the capital today.

''But oneday everyone has to move and make way for youngsters,'' he added.

Aussie spin department received a severe jolt when Test cricket's highest wicket-taker Shane Warne retired from international cricket early this year. It was followed by paceman Glenn McGrath's retirement just after their third consecutive World Cup title, where he ended up as the highest wicket-taker.

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara also announced to hang up his bat after his side's shambolic World Cup performance in home turf.

UNI