Harris replaces Lee in World Twenty20 squad

The fast bowler Ryan Harris will replace the injured Brett Lee in Australia's 15-man squad for the ICC World Twenty20, the ICC has confirmed. Lee suffered a muscle strain in his right forearm while bowling during the warm-up game against Zimbabwe in St Lucia.

"During yesterday's game against Zimbabwe, Brett developed increasing right elbow pain and by the time he completed his final over the pain was significant," Alex Kountouris, Australia's physio, said. "At the conclusion of the innings it was obvious Brett had sustained an injury to one of the forearm muscles near the elbow and this was confirmed by a subsequent MRI scan.

"Due to the condensed nature of this tournament Brett will not recover in time to take any further part and has therefore been withdrawn from the squad. This is not a recurrence of the elbow injury that recently required surgery but a new injury that will require specialist opinion upon his return to Australia."

Harris and the left-armer Doug Bollinger were the front-runners to replace Lee and the selectors preferred Harris, who had a very successful summer against Pakistan at home and later in New Zealand. Harris had a successful tournament for Deccan Chargers in the IPL this year, when he took 14 wickets in 12 games at 16.64 runs.

"While it is obviously disappointing for Brett, this gives Ryan Harris a wonderful opportunity," Andrew Hilditch, Australia's chairman of selectors, said. "Ryan was very close to selection in the initial 15-man squad. He has been in excellent form for Australia in one-day and Test formats and during his recent stint at the IPL."