Lee out of World Cup

Reports on Sydney radio and News Limited’s on-line service report that Lee apparently telephoned Cricket Australia this morning to inform them that the ankle ligament damage which he suffered in the lead up to last week’s Chappell-Hadlee series in New Zealand will not sufficiently heal in time for him to lead Australia’s attack in the World Cup.

Lee was the leading one-day bowler in the world in 2006 and his loss, on the back of the injury to all-rounder Andrew Symonds, is a devastating blow to the chances of the two-time defending champions.

Should the reports be confirmed, it is likely that Stuart Clark, originally omitted from Australia’s World Cup squad, will fill the void leftby Lee’s absence.