The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Lee ruled out of World Cup

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Saturday, Feb 24, 2007
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Lee ruled out of World Cup

Brett Lee.

Melbourne : Australia's campaign for a third straight title victory in the World Cup suffered a major jolt as speedster Brett Lee was ruled out of the mega event due to an ankle injury.

It's a big blow for the Australians, who recently have been chased by a string of loses and injury to key players.

Cricket Australia said that Stuart Clark, who was omitted from the Aussie squad for World Cup despite some impressive performances in the Ashes tour, will replace Lee.

Lee was ruled out after a review of his injury, which he sustained while training in New Zealand 10 days ago. Orthopaedic surgeon Kim Slater told CA that Lee had damaged the ligaments in his ankle and the injury had not improved over the past week.

CA's Chairman of National Selection committee Andrew Hilditch said that he had been advised that Lee's ankle injury was more serious than first expected.

``It is a great disappointment for Brett Lee that he is unable to take a place in the Cricket World Cup and is a significant blow for the planning and preparation in place for the tournament,'' Hilditch said in a statement.

Opportunity for Clark

``However it does give a tremendous opportunity for Stuart Clark to join the 15-man squad,'' he said.

Team doctor Trefor James said in a statement that he had been advised that Lee's injury had not improved and he would not be able to bowl for two-three months.

``On that basis I have advised CA that Brett will not be fit to resume bowling for two to three months,'' James said.

Apart from Lee, who is third highest wicket-taker for Australia after Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne in one-dayers with 267 wickets in 150 matches, injury to several other players like Andrew Symonds, Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke has hampered Australia's preparation. — PTI

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