Australia’s Lee ruled out of first test

CARDIFF, (Reuters) – Australia fast bowler Brett Lee  will miss the first Ashes test against England starting tomorrow after tearing a muscle in his left rib area.

“I have sustained a small muscle tear which has ruled me out  of the first test,” Lee told a news conference at the team’s  hotel on Monday.

“I still see myself playing a major role for Australia  through the end part of the series, whether that’s the second,  third, fourth or fifth test match depending on how things go.”

Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said a scan on Monday  had revealed a muscle strain.

“It’s not as bad as it could have been. It looks as if he’s  out of the first test, he’s not out of Lord’s but the chances  are slim,” Kountouris said.

Lee also indicated he did not expect to be fit in time for  the second test at Lord’s starting next Thursday.

“At this point at time it’s possibly looking like two weeks  before I can bowl again,” he said.

The 32-year-old Lee, who has returned to the Australia side  after undergoing a fifth ankle operation, was a certainty for  the first test after ripping through the England Lions  middle-order in a warmup match last week.

He bowled with all his old express pace and obtained  devastating reverse swing in taking six for 76 in the first  innings.

“I will be missing the first test match which is very  disappointing. However, if it was my ankle or something  structural I would be much more concerned,” he said.

“It’s only the only second time I have torn a muscle in my  body in 16 years.”

Australia media officer Philip Pope said there were no plans  to send for a replacement.