da cassino： Australia’s injury problems deepened on Wednesday morning as Brett Lee was ruled out of the series after his ankle injury flared up again following a training session
Charlie Austin10-Mar-2004
Brett Lee: going home© Getty Images
Australia’s injury problems deepened on Wednesday morning as Brett Lee’sankle injury flared up again after a training session the previous day. Tomake matters worse, Michael Kasprowicz also suffered a sprained shoulderinjury which prevented him from bowling again in Sri Lanka’s first innings.Lee had initially injured his left ankle during Australia’s practice matchlast week. X-rays revealed no structural damage and Australia hadbeen hopeful that he would be fit in time for the secondTest in Kandy next week. But post-training soreness forced the teammanagement to send him home.”Brett [Lee] is suffering from inflammation at the back of his ankle joint,”said Kontouri. “As a result we felt it was prudent for him to be seen bydoctors in Australia, rather than remain on tour where it is now apparentthat his condition is not improving.” Lee will have his ankle checked by Dr Martin Sullivan, a foot specialist.”Initially I felt pretty good after the training session but once the painreturned I knew I was in trouble,” Lee said in a statement. “I amreally disappointed. I guess it’s back to square one now to rectify theproblem. That’s tough but I need to be as positive as possible to get backas soon as possible.”Lee’s withdrawal paves the way for a possible return of Glen McGrath.McGrath failed to convince the selectors of his form or fitness when theTest squad was initially selected but he has now returned to first-classcricket and claimed he is ready to return to the national team.Kasprowicz, meanwhile, sprained his shoulder after colliding with a ball boyjust before close of play on the second day. Kasprowicz did not appear to haveinjured himself at the time but he suffered pain in his right shoulderafterwards and the team management decided not to risk further aggravation.