Brett Lee misses World Cup, Stuart Clarke named substitute

Sydney, Feb 23 (UNI) Australia received a severe jolt and the impending cricket World Cup lost some of its sheen today after tearaway pacer Brett Lee was ruled out of the showpiece event with an ankle injury.

Cricket Australia (CA) named Stuart Clark as Lee's replacement in squad of 15, pending ICC approval.

Lee will be out of action for two to three months, the board said.

''It is a great disappointment for Brett Lee that he is unable to take place in the Cricket World Cup and is a significant blow for the planning and preparation in place for the tournament. However it does give a tremendous opportunity for Stuart Clark to join the 15-man squad,'' Andrew Hilditch, the Chairman of the National Selection Panel (NSP), said in a statement.

''Stuart was extremely unlucky to miss out on initial selection and despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his inclusion we strongly believe that Stuart is primed to seize his opportunity.

''Though Brett's injury is disappointing from a personal and team perspective, we strongly believe we are taking a squad of players more than capable of winning a third successive Cricket World Cup,'' he added.

Lee had torn his ligament in the left ankle during fielding practice in New Zealand.

''Brett has injured the ligaments in his left ankle and after further review by orthopaedic surgeon Kim Slater, Kim has today advised me that the injury has not improved over the last week. On that basis I have advised Cricket Australia that Brett will not be fit to resume bowling for two to three months,'' Australian Team Doctor Trefor James said.

According to the CA statement, Lee's ankle injury is more serious than first expected and team medical staff, in consultation with specialists, have advised the NSP to spare Lee.

Cricket Australia has written to the ICC Technical Committee to receive approval for Brett Lee to be replaced in the selected squad of 15 by New South Wales fast bowler Stuart Clark, in accordance with the relevant ICC rules, it added.

''This news is exceptionally disappointing for Brett and our thoughts are with him as he continues his rehabilitation from this injury. On behalf of Australian Team Doctor, Trefor James, I have written to the ICC requesting a replacement player for Brett under schedule 7, clause 4 of the ICC's Participating Nation's Agreement,'' CA General Manager Cricket Operations, Michael Brown, said.

''Pending the ICC's advice on the replacement of Brett Lee, Stuart Clark is our nominated replacement in the squad of 15. I have today advised him that subject to ICC approval, I would expect him to be on the plane to the West Indies on Wednesday,'' he said.

UNI