KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Australian fast bowler Brett Lee is in danger of missing the cricket World Cup after seriously injuring his ankle in Wellington on Thursday.
Lee was sent home to Sydney yesterday after twisting his left foot at training, leaving the paceman writhing in pain.
He was cleared of any breaks but scans revealed he had suffered serious ligament damage and cannot walk without the aid of crutches and a brace.
Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said Lee did not need immediate surgery to repair the damage but was facing a race against time to be ready for the World Cup, starting in the West Indies in less than a month.
"Brett has suffered a serious ligament injury to his left ankle," Kountouris said in a statement.
"He was seen by an orthopaedic surgeon who decided that he does not require surgery and will be initially managed with crutches and a brace.
"The surgeon will review him in a week's time and assess his prospects of playing in the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup."
Australian team doctor Trefor James said it would be at least another week before he could reassess Lee's chances of playing in the World Cup.
"Brett's availability will depend on his progress over the coming period," James said.
"No decisions regarding his availability for the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup will be made until this time."
Lee said he was just relieved that the damage was not any worse and was still holding out hope of making it to the Caribbean.
"The good news is that don't have to have an operation. There are torn ligaments in my left ankle and yesterday I was in a lot of pain," he said.
"When I went down I heard a crack in my ankle and things weren't looking good. After consulting with the doctor today I am more positive but it's too hard to say what the outcome will be.
"I'll be doing everything I can to make sure I have a chance of playing at the World Cup.
"As a fast bowler I have had stress fractures in my back and ankle surgery three times and have always overcome these injuries. There will be nothing different here and I know I will be able to bounce back."
Shaun Tait was called in to replace Lee for the three-game Chappell-Hadlee series in New Zealand while Stuart Clark is the obvious choice to replace Lee should he miss the World Cup with Tait already in the squad.
Lee's absence would be another major blow to Australia's World Cup defence which is suddenly lurching towards trouble after a seemingly perfect build-up.
All-rounder Andrew Symonds is recovering from bicep surgery and will miss at least the first half of the World Cup while captain Ricky Ponting and top-order batsman Michael Clarke both pulled out of the Chappell-Hadlee series with injuries.
The Australians looked to be almost unbeatable after winning last year's Champions Trophy in India and the first six games of a tri-series tournament against England and New Zealand, but the mounting injury toll and a sudden loss of form have shattered their aura of invincibility.
They were beaten by 10 wickets by New Zealand in the first of three matches yesterday.
- REUTERS
