Lee will not play in Pura Cup final

Brett Lee will not now play for New South Wales in the Pura Cup final, after the possibility of a last-minute dash from Wellington to Brisbane was ruled out. Lee, who missed out on selection for the first Test at Christchurch, is expected to be named 12th man for the second Test as well, but a combination of inopportune flight times and NSW's reluctance to risk his late arrival has meant the idea has been shelved.

Lee starred in Australia's one-day campaign but has been an irregular starter in Tests, and Cricket Australia confirmed that his lack of match practice was sufficient reason to grant permission for his appearance against Queensland in the final at the Gabba. But Brad Haddin, Trevor Bayliss and Brian Taber, NSW's troika of captain, coach and chief selector, reasoned that if he could not arrive in time for the first day of the match, there was little point in having him at all.

Trevor Hohns, the national selection chairman, originally said a decision would not be made until Australia's team for Wellington was named, adding that no player could leave New Zealand until the Test had started. "We haven't picked a side and that won't be happening for a day or so and we don't see any reason to change what is normal policy," he said. "There are lots of things to be taken into account if somebody was to leave and obviously the captain and team management have to be satisfied that it's okay."