Brett Lee out of Ashes opener

England received a boost ahead of tomorrow's First Test in Cardiff when Australia confirmed that their veteran fast bowler Brett Lee would miss the first two Tests of the Ashes series.

Lee, who has taken 310 wickets in 76 Tests, had played his way back into the tourists' squad with a six-wicket haul against the England Lions in the final warm-up game but suffered an abdominal tear while playing in that match.

His reverse swing was expected to form part of Australia's game plan for the First Test at Cardiff, where the ball is expected to move substantially. Lee has also been ruled out of the Lord's Test beginning on 16 July, and is considered a doubt Edgbaston for 30 July.

WHAT THEY ARE SAYING
Lawrence Booth, the Guardian: "Australia's Ashes plans were in tatters today after Brett Lee, their fastest bowler and most skilful purveyor of reverse swing, was ruled out of at least the first two Tests with a rib injury. As thoughts drifted back to 2005, when Glenn McGrath trod on a stray practice ball moments before the Edgbaston Test, Lee said he was "gutted" after scans taken in Cardiff ahead of the first Test, which starts on Wednesday, revealed a small abdominal tear, and admitted he would not be bowling again for another fortnight."

Richard Hobson, the Times: "For all that magnanimity, and the fact that Lee was absent through ankle trouble when Australia won a three-match series in South Africa this year, England will secretly feel that their task of taking an early lead has become easier. Alex Kontouris, the Australia physiotherapist, said: 'It could have been a lot worse. We’ll monitor it over the next two weeks. He is not out of Lord’s but his chances are slim.' Lee hopes to be able to run again in two days, and Australia are not considering calling up a replacement at this stage. Next in line is Doug Bollinger, at present playing for Australia A against Pakistan A."

Nick Hoult, Daily Telegraph: "Ricky Ponting famously refused to change his tactics after Glenn McGrath was injured on the morning of the pivotal Edgbaston Test in 2005 but this time will have little choice but to be more flexible. Australia will now have to decide whether to pick struggling spinner Nathan Hauritz or go for an all pace attack featuring the inexperienced Ben Hilfenhuas alongside Stuart Clark, who is recovering from a long term elbow injury, as back up for Peter Siddle and Mitchell Johnson." ·