Lee leaves India early

Brett Lee limbers up during an aborted practice session - on the day he was withdrawn from Australia's one-day squad

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Australia have suffered a second major blow in as many days after Brett Lee was ruled out of the remainder of the one-day series in India.

Less than 24 hours after wicketkeeper Tim Paine was forced to return home with a broken finger, Australia confirmed pace bowler Lee will do likewise as he requires treatment on the elbow injury which has blighted his trip.

Lee was able to bowl only six overs in the opening match of the series in Vadodara, and did not feature in Tuesday’s 99-run defeat in Nagpur.

Cricket Australia physiotherapist Kevin Sims said: “Brett's elbow injury has not responded as well to treatment as we would have liked and therefore a decision has been made to send him home to consult with an elbow specialist.

“With an accurate diagnosis, we can determine how best to manage the injury and give Brett the best chance of being available for selection at the beginning of the Australian summer.”

The selectors have yet to name Lee’s replacement, but Graham Manou - called up in place of Paine - is set to arrive in Delhi in time for the third ODI of a series which stands at 1-1.

Earlier this week, Moises Henriques was called up as cover for fellow all-rounder James Hopes, who missed the second game with a hamstring injury.

Australia’s preparations were further disrupted when they were unable to practise at the Feroz Shah Kotla today because groundstaff had watered the pitch.

“I'm very disappointed,” said captain Ricky Ponting. “Everybody in the world other than the groundsman knew that we were going to train at 9am this morning.

“To turn up and have the wickets completely unusable is disappointing. We only have one training day and I'm sure by the time the Indians get out here this afternoon the wickets will be fine.”

India batsman Sachin Tendulkar, meanwhile, is 79 runs away from reaching 17,000 in ODIs.

"It would be a milestone indeed,” said India skipper MS Dhoni. “He is such a great batsman.

"Whenever he walks out we all expect big scores. He not only scores himself but also guides his partner."