Thread: Lee Not Fit For U.A.E Series

Lee 'not yet fit' for UAE one-dayers


Cricinfo staff
April 15, 2009

	Doug Bollinger has been added as cover for Brett Lee © Getty Images

Fast bowler Brett Lee has been deemed unfit to return to international cricket after failing to recover from an ankle injury. Doug Bollinger, the left-arm fast bowler, has been added to the Australian one-day squad as cover for the forthcoming limited-overs series against Pakistan in the UAE. Lee, part of the squad currently in South Africa, will remain in the country to continue his rehabilitation.


"The National Selection Panel (NSP) has been advised by Cricket Australia medical staff that Brett Lee is not yet fit enough to resume international cricket," Andrew Hilditch, the chairman of selectors, said. "While it's disappointing for Brett to miss the start of the VB Pakistan series, the NSP wants to take a careful approach to his return to the Australian team."


Lee, who last played during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne before surgery, was fast-tracked into the one-day squad currently in South Africa, hoping to make an early comeback but couldn't play any of the four games so far. However he has a chance of joining the squad in the UAE provided he makes a speedy recovery.


"Brett's ankle has recovered well from surgery in January this year," Alex Kountouris, the team physiotherapist, said. "However, the rehabilitation process is ongoing and, to date, Brett has not bowled sufficiently to allow him to be fit to resume playing cricket."


He said Lee would remain in South Africa to continue the rehabilitation program and gradually increase his bowling volume and intensity. "I will be monitoring Brett's progress to assess his availability for any part of the VB series against Pakistan in the UAE."


Bollinger made his Australia debut in the Sydney Test against South Africa but is yet to play a one-day international. "Doug was probably a bit disappointed not to get a run during the Test series in South Africa, but this is an opportunity for him to impress at one-day level for Australia and I'm sure it's an opportunity he'll be keen to make the most of," Hilditch said.


The first ODI against Pakistan is on April 22 in Dubai.


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bad news for mohali...good for pak...aus shouldnt worry too much