| Player: | B Lee |
| Event: | Australia in British Isles 2009 |
Australia pacer Brett Lee hopes to be back fit for the third Ashes Test after being ruled out of the opening match.
After Lee's injury confirmation, Australia now will have to revamp their bowling attack for the npower series opener in Cardiff. Lee would be out of action for around a fortnight and making a return at Edgbaston later this month is the most likely option.
Physio Alex Kountouris examined scans on his rib problem that the pacer suffered in the draw against England Lions and discovered a strain in one of his abdominal muscles.
Although the Australians are not completely ruling him out, they admit the chances of him returning at Lord's next week are slim. They are thankful though that they monitored the discomfort in its early stages given that playing through it could have resulted in a worst-case scenario of a 10-week lay-off.
"Playing any Test match for Australia is the most amazing thing," Lee said, reflecting on his disappointment.
"You grow up as a kid dreaming of playing Test cricket - it's the pinnacle. "But to play in an Ashes series is what it is all about. To me it's the true test.
"I am gutted not to be there for that first Test but I am determined to bounce back.
"Normally I would have played through it but with the Test matches here this summer and what it means not only to myself but to the team, I didn't want to jeopardise that."
Lee, who is the most experienced amongst the Aussie bowlers has 310 wickets in 76 Tests, and thee bowler himself hopes to be back running in a couple of days and the injury could be re-scanned when the Australians arrive in London next week.
The bowler remained upbeat and insisted that this is a small obstacle and he would cross that over.
"This is only a small obstacle put in front of me.
"If it was my ankle and something of a structural thing I would be a lot more concerned.
"Being a fast bowler, injuries are the nature of the beast and I will be working hard to look to bowl again around the two-week mark - and reassess after that."
Vice-captain Michael Clarke also echoed Aussie sentiments saying that the team's only concern is to get Lee fit as early as possible.
"The most important thing for us is to try to get Brett as fit as possible. He has been a wonderful player for Australia for such a long time."