Australia was left with a major selection headache after fast bowler Brett Lee was ruled out less than 48 hours before the first Ashes Test against England with a rib muscle injury in his left side. Team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris, speaking at a news conference here Monday at the squad's hotel, confirmed Lee would miss the series opener which gets underway at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens on Wednesday. Kountouris added Lee was also doubtful for next week's second Test of the five-match series at Lord's. “I've sustained a small muscle tear which has ruled me out of the first Test,” Lee said at the same news conference. “I'm very disappointed.” Lee, one of the survivors from the 2005 Australia squad that lost the Ashes 2-1 in England, indicated soreness in the left side of his ribs after last week's draw with the England Lions in Worcester, where he bowled himself into contention for the Test team with a haul of six wickets for 76 runs. “The scan revealed he has a small strain in one of his abdominal muscles - the internal oblique muscle,” Kountouris said. “It is not as bad as it could have been, so we are going to monitor it over the next couple of weeks.” Asked if Lee would be fit for next week's second Test at Lord's, Kountouris added: “He is not out but the chances are slim.” This injury was a bitter blow for Lee, Australia's senior fast bowler on tour with 310 wickets from 76 Tests. The 32-year-old has not played a Test since December because of foot and heel injuries but his performance against Worcester appeared to have seen him win his ‘bowl-off' with Stuart Clark for a pace berth alongside fellow quicks Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle. His injury means Australia, who hold the Ashes after its 5-0 success on home soil in 2006-07, will go into Wednesday's match with none of its attack having before bowled a ball in a Test in England. But a raw Australia side minus Lee still managed to win a Test series in South Africa earlier this year and he said: “We've got a very strong bowling attack. The guys did the job in South Africa when I wasn't there.” Lee's absence means Australia's selectors must now choose between the likes of swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus, Clark and out-of-form spinner Nathan Hauritz. Rajasthan beats Middlesex Dimitri Mascarenha starred with bat and ball as Rajasthan Royals comfortably defeated Middlesex by 46 runs in the British Asian Cup at Lord's. The IPL champion made 162-5 in its 20 overs, Swapnil Asnodkar and Mohammad Kaif making 41 each and Mascarenhas remained unbeaten on 32 off 16 balls. He then took 2-24 and Sohail Tanvir added a superb 3-20 as Middlesex was restricted to 116-7 in response. Australia A beats Pakistan A Spin bowler Jason Krejza took four wickets and paceman Doug Bollinger added three Monday as Australia A beat Pakistan A by 101 runs in a four-day cricket match in Australia. Pakistan A was chasing 300 for the win but Australia A took six wickets in the final session to dismiss the visitors for 198. Starting the day at 368-5, Australia A declared at 402-9. “It was obviously a good result, good to get a win,” Australia A skipper Cameron White said. “We played the better cricket over the two games so I was just happy that we were able to get the win today.” Scores: Australia A 230 and 402-9 dec. def. Pakistan A 333 and 198 all out by 101 runs.
