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SYDNEY - Fast bowler Brett Lee believes his enforced layoff for ankle surgery could extend his career by 18 months.
Lee was devastated when a training injury in New Zealand in February ruled him out of Australia's victorious World Cup campaign in the Caribbean.
He had surgery three weeks ago and now that he's into his rehabilitation work he's begun focusing on the positive side.
"It took me a while to get over the disappointment of missing the World Cup," he said.
"I pushed that aside ... I know that this is going to help me long term.
"I see it putting another year-and-a-half on my career."
There are parallels with former teammate Shane Warne, albeit for different reasons.
Warne was sent home on the eve of the 2003 cup after testing positive to a banned diuretic and believes the subsequent 12-month ban from cricket helped extend his international career until he was 37.
Lee, who has played 59 tests and 150 one-day internationals, will be 34 when the 2011 cup rolls around - and he aims to be there.
"Having a bit of a layoff is good for the body," he said. "It gives a chance for my muscles and bones to relax and get a bit of time off.
"I've missed a little bit of time with cricket. I had 19 months when I was on the sideline carrying the drinks [in 2004-2005], and now this.
"Although I'm 30 I still feel like I'm 27 as far as bowling age. The body still feels really young.
"Now it's full steam ahead. I want to be the fittest I've ever been, and there's no reason why I can't be.
"Last season was brilliant. I felt really, really fit, and I want to get back to where I was."
Lee's first goal is to take the new ball - possibly with Shaun Tait - in Australia's first match of the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup against Zimbabwe in South Africa in September.
-AAP
