MANCHESTER, England: Australia’s Brett Lee and Shane Watson both had their tour of England cut short by calf problems yesterday as they were ruled out of today’s fifth One-Day International at Old Trafford.
The duo, who suffered their injuries while bowling during a crushing eight-wicket defeat at Chester-le-Street on Saturday that gave England a series-clinching 3-0 lead in the five-match contest, are now due to fly home to Australia later yesterday.
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 (Australian) 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).”
Lee, who went off two balls into his second spell on Saturday, and Watson, who managed just the one over, joined teenage paceman Pat Cummins (side strain) in returning home early from the tour, while left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson did not play at Chester-le-Street because of soreness in his right foot.
Fast bowler Lee retired from Test cricket in 2010 in a bid to prolong his career in shorter formats.
However, at the age of 35, this setback is bound to lead to questions about how long he can keep going for Australia.
Meanwhile Watson, an opening batsman and medium-pacer, has seen his career blighted by a succession of injuries, leading many to question whether the 31-year-old’s body can cope with the demands of his preferred all-rounder role.
Nevertheless Australia coach Mickey Arthur — speaking after Saturday’s loss — insisted he wanted Watson to continue featuring with both bat and ball in the hope both facets of his game would eventually come off at the same time.
“We want Watto as an all-rounder. He gives us immense value and great balance. We need to have Watto as an all-rounder in that team for the balance of the side,” Arthur explained.
Rain washes out Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test
Meantime, bad weather washed out the entire second day’s play in the third and final Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Pallekele yesterday.
The entire field at the Pallekele International Stadium was covered as incessant rain since early morning, the heaviest in the region in the last two months, kept the players indoors.
Umpires Steve Davis and Simon Taufel waited till 3:00 p.m. (0930 GMT) before they abandoned play for the day when the weather showed no signs of clearing.
Light rain has been forecast for the remaining three days.
The match is evenly poised after an enthralling opening day’s cricket on Sunday when Pakistan reduced Sri Lanka to 44-3 after being shot out for 226 in their first innings.
The interruption gave Pakistani wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal time to recover from a hairline fracture in his left hand after he was hit by a rising ball from fast bowler Dilhara Fernando on the first day.
Akmal, who retired hurt on 10 but later returned to make 24, did not take the field in Sri Lanka’s first innings where Taufeeq Umar kept wickets.
Sri Lanka lead the series 1-0, having won the first Test in Galle by 209 runs. The second Test in Colombo was drawn.
Lee, Watson out of final England ODI
