Lee says endorsements have nothing to do with performance

New Delhi, Apr 9 (UNI) Surprised at BCCI's decision of cutting down brand endorsements for Indian cricketers, Australian speedster Brett Lee today said endorsements have no effect on player's performance.

Here for an innauguration function of Timex Watches, Lee said, ''Until and unless you play good, quality cricket, you can't expect of being associated with a brand as all brands run after performers.'' Lee, who missed the Caribbean World Cup due to an ankle injury, was of the opinion that coming hard on cricketers for their endorsements was not right. He, however, asked all the cricketers to 'striking the right balance' between the game and endorsements.

''The main focus of every cricketer should only be cricket.

Its very important for every one of us to strike a right balance between cricket and endorsements.'' the Timex Brand Ambassador said.

Citing his own example, the Aussie added that endorsements had never played any negative role in his performance, as for him cricket would always come way ahead of endorsements.

The BCCI working committee on Sturday placed a ceiling on player endorsements, imposing a limit of three sponsorship deals per cricketer at a time, as well as restricting single sponsors to a maximum of two players.

UNI