Lee out of T20 World Cup

SYDNEY - Brett Lee will miss the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean after injuring his arm in Australia's one-run loss to Zimbabwe in a warmup match, and the fast bowler has been replaced by Ryan Harris.

Cricket Australia said yesterday that Lee injured a muscle close to his right elbow playing a warmup game against Zimbabwe and was in such pain by the end of his final over it was decided to withdraw him from the squad.

Lee took 1-13 in the loss to Zimbabwe at St. Lucia and had MRI scans on a tender area near his right elbow. The 33-year-old Lee previously had surgery on his right elbow, which caused his retirement from test cricket to prolong his international career in shorter formats.

"Due to the condensed nature of this tournament, Brett will not recover in time to take any further part and has therefore been withdrawn from the squad," said Australia team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

"This is not a recurrence of the elbow injury that recently required surgery, but a new injury that will require specialist opinion upon his return to Australia."

The team asked the International Cricket Council for permission to name a replacement and Harris, a swing bowler, will join the team.

"While it obviously disappointing for Brett, this gives Ryan Harris a wonderful opportunity to join the Australian squad in the West Indies for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament," said chief selector Andrew Hilditch.

"Ryan was very close to selection in the initial 15-man squad. He has been in excellent form for Australia in one-day and test formats and during his recent stint at the IPL. We believe he is the ideal replacement for Brett, being a right-arm swing bowler with a good ability to bowl at the death of an innings. His ability with the bat and in the field also adds extra versatility to our squad."

- AP