Injured Lee likely to miss Twenty20 World Cup

Injured pacer Brett Lee's management has indicated that the Australian bowler might be better off delaying his international comeback for the time being as he does not want to appear at less than his best for the upcoming World Twenty20 Cup.

A decision on Lee's availability for the T20 tournament will be made in the coming days as he is struggling to recover from a broken right thumb, suffered in the Indian Premier League.

Lee's agent, Neil Maxwell, insisted the latest setback was not career threatening, but suggested he would not rush to be ready for the ICC World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

"The poor bloke has had a run of bad luck trying to get back in the swing of things, and this is a small setback," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Maxwell, as saying.

"Whilst it would be wonderful for him to be able to play in it, I don't think the Twenty20 World Cup is the be-all and end-all. Brett has constantly rushed to get back into things because of timing, and whenever he has had a good break he's come back firing on eight cylinders. I'd rather him be at 100 per cent when he plays for his country," he said.

Maxwell said Lee's elbow has not troubled him while playing in the IPL. "He's copping a hard time but so be it, he's a big boy. A few of them (fast bowlers) are getting taken down but he's shown he can do it over there. I know, whilst he is fit, he is not 100 per cent."

Lee recently retired from Tests to prolong his career, and the selectors showed faith in him by renewing his Cricket Australia contract. This suggested Lee was still in their plans for next year's 50-over World Cup.