Sydney Sixers paceman Brett Lee highlighted the performance of veteran spinner Stuart MacGill in helping the franchise win the inaugural Big Bash League on Saturday night.
The Sixers dominated much of their final with the Perth Scorchers at the WACA, and Lee - who picked up both of his wickets in a sterling first over - praised team-mate MacGill (1-20) for his successful comeback to cricket in the BBL.
"To me the best part of the game was obviously to win the match, but when we did that 'guard of honour', Stuart MacGill teared up massively. And to think that he's walked off...he's finally had a chance to say goodbye to cricket even though that I still think he should play for a few more seasons," Lee said.
"(I'm) not saying that he has (definitely) said goodbye, but to see his face when he's walked off (was great)."
"He's the comeback kid, it's a miracle story... (at) 40 years of age, to come back and play the way he has, to bowl the way he has, but to think what he has done with the guys back in the dressing room and also on the field, is a great, amazing story."
Lee dismissed South African star Herschelle Gibbs on the first ball of the match, executing a deliberate plan with Dominic Thornely taking the catch to give the Sixers an ideal opening.
"We had our plans in place and that was exactly what we wanted to do, we put Dom Thornely behind square and moved him around a fraction," he said.
"We've been working on that plan now for quite some time, and it came off beautifully," Lee said.
"It's great when you put a plan in place, but then to actually execute it, and to get two wickets in the first over is just a dream start. (It was) backed up beautifully by the batsmen."
Lee added that the Sixers' triumph against the odds in the BBL was credit to their teamwork ethic, as the pundits had written off their chances pre-tournament due to their lack of star power.
"We haven't got the superstars on paper, but that doesn't matter when you get to a match, you have to work as a team."
"And I reckon that's what has got us over the line, we're both great team men and we always want to see each other succeed and actually achieve their dream and also their goals."
"To see the looks on the young guys faces at the back there, it's something you just cherish," he said.