MANCHESTER, England – Australia’s Brett Lee and Shane Watson both had their tour of England cut short by calf problems on Monday as they were ruled out of Tuesday’s fifth one-day international at Old Trafford.
Australia’s Shane Watson (left) Brett Lee (3rd R) celebrates a wicket with team-mates during the first ODI at Lord’s cricket ground in north-west London on June 29. Lee and Watson both had their tour of England cut short by calf problems on Monday as they were ruled out of Tuesday’s fifth one-day international at Old Trafford.
© AFP/File Ian Kington
Australia team doctor John Orchard said in a statement: “Shane Watson and Brett Lee have calf strains — Shane to the left and Brett to the right calf — sustained during the fourth ODI against England at Durham.
“This is the opposite calf to the injury Shane had last summer. Because both players will miss the final game, they are flying back to Sydney for MRI scans and further treatment.
“At this stage, they are anticipated to be available for consideration for selection for the ICC World Twenty20 (in Sri Lanka starting in September), with scan results and response to treatment to determine whether they will be available for consideration for selection for the coming series against Pakistan in the UAE (United Arab Emirates).”
Fast bowler Lee and seam-bowling all-rounder Watson joined teenage paceman Pat Cummins (side strain) in returning home early from the tour.
Meanwhile, left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson did not play in Chester-le-Street because of soreness in his right foot.
Lee and Watson’s injuries saw Australia bring another left-arm quick in Mitchell Starc, who had been playing for English county Yorkshire, into their squad as cover on Sunday.
