Lee goes under the knife

4 January 2009

Paceman Brett Lee has a long-standing ankle problem

Australia paceman Brett Lee is expected to be out of action for up to five months after undergoing surgery on his left ankle yesterday to correct a long-standing problem.

The surgery involved the removal of bone fragments which had caused pain at the back of the ankle.

The fast bowler suffered a stress fracture of a metatarsal bone during the second Test against South Africa in Melbourne.

With that injury expected to keep him out of cricket for some time, it was decided that it would be an appropriate time to address his ankle problem.

Lee missed Australia's World Cup victory in the Caribbean in 2007 after injuring the ankle during a tour of New Zealand.

"If Brett's rehabilitation program goes to plan he is expected to be available for selection for Australia for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup later this year," team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said.

The Twenty20 World Cup will begin in England in the first week of June.