Melbourne, February 23:

Fast bowler Brett Lee has been ruled out of next month’s cricket World Cup with an ankle injury, Australian selectors said on Friday, damaging the team’s hopes of winning its third straight world title.

Stuart Clark will take Lee’s place in the 15-man squad for the tournament in the West Indies. “It is a great disappointment for Brett Lee that he is unable to take his place in the World Cup, and it is a significant blow for the planning and preparation,” selection chairman Andrew Hilditch said.

“However, it does give a tremendous opportunity for Stuart Clark to join the 15-man squad,” Hilditch said.

Australian team doctor Trefor James said Lee injured ligaments in his left ankle last week while training in New Zealand. “Orthopedic surgeon Kim Slater has today advised me that the injury has not improved over the last week,” James said. “On that basis I have advised Cricket Australia that Brett will not be fit to resume bowling for two to three months.”

Lee is one of several top-line players struggling with an injury and is the first to be officially ruled out. Andrew Symonds has been named in the squad despite an injured bicep that will sideline him in the early rounds. Matthew Hayden has a broken toe and Michael Clarke a hip injury.

“Though Brett’s injury is disappointing from a personal and team perspective, we strongly believe we are taking a squad of players more than capable of winning a third successive World Cup,” Hilditch said.