Lee out of ODI series, returns to Australia

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New Delhi: Injury-ravaged Australia's campaign in the ongoing one-day series against India received a body blow on Friday with pace spearhead Brett Lee ruled out of the remainder of the series because of an elbow injury.

The 32-year-old would return home midway through the series to consult specialists, the team management said in a statement.

Lee was unable to complete his 10-over spell during the first ODI against India in Baroda and was not available for selection in the second match of the series in Nagpur.

on Friday, he had a light practice at the Ferozeshah Kotla and captain Ricky Ponting said he was 85 percent fit.

"Brett's elbow injury has not responded as well to treatment as we would have liked and therefore a decision has been made to send him home to consult with an elbow specialist," team physiotherapist Kevin Sims said.

"With an accurate diagnosis we can determine how best to manage the injury and give Brett the best chance of being available for selection at the beginning of the Australian summer," he added.

"Cricket Australia's National Selection Panel are working through the process of naming a replacement player and this will be advised in due course," the statement read.

Australia arrived here without Michael Clarke, Callum Ferguson and Brad Haddin. Their second choice stumper Tim Paine also fractured his finger in the last match in Nagpur to return home, while his replacement Graham Manou is expected to arrive on Friday.

Lee had a sore elbow which kept him out of action, while a hamstring injury has sidelined all-rounder James Hopes.

The series is currently level 1-1 with the third match scheduled here on Saturday.