Australia fast bowler Brett Lee has been ruled out of the first Ashes test against the England starting from Wednesday due to side injury. Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris has confirmed in a press conference that Brett Lee will miss the series opener after the scan reports came in.

Kountouris also added that Lee will be doubtful for the second test to be plated at Lord’s as well.

Lee has performed amazingly in the warm-up matches being played against the England Lions in Worcester. Lee took six wickets for 76 runs, which proved he is back in his form and could be dangerous for the England if he was able to play.

“The scan revealed he has a small strain in one of his abdominal muscles – the internal oblique muscle,” Kountouris said. “It is not as bad as it could have been, so we are going to monitor it over the next couple of weeks.”

Asked if Lee would be fit for next week’s second Test at Lord’s, Kountouris added: “He is not out but the chances are slim.”

This injury was a bitter blow for Lee, Australia’s senior fast bowler on tour with 310 wickets from 76 Tests.

The 32-year-old Lee has not played a Test since December because of foot and heel injuries but his performance against Worcester appeared to have seen him win his ‘bowl-off’ with Stuart Clark for a pace berth alongside fellow quicks Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle.

Lee repeatedly stressed his disappointment at missing the series opener but insisted the injury was not as bad as it could have been.

“This is only a small obstacle put in front of me,” he told reporters. “If it was my ankle and something of a structural thing I would be a lot more concerned.”

Brett Lee is a major blow for the Aussies as they don’t have any of the experienced bowling attack in the squad. Lee is the only one with good experience of Ashes tour of England. So now Australia team will come with a new inexperienced bowling attack against the England in the Ashes opener.

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