The Ashes: Australia's Brett Lee to miss first Test

Australia fast bowler Brett Lee has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test in Cardiff because of a rib injury.

Lee strained his left side during the England Lions match at Worcester last week. In that match Lee bowled a sustained hostile spell taking wickets with the old ball claiming six for 76 in the first innings with a devastating display of reverse swing.

It had been thought that performance had assured him of a place in the first Test but now Australia will have to plan without their most experienced bowler.

Lee underwent a scan earlier on Monday and Australia called a press conference at 5.15pm to make a further statement on the fitness of the 32 year-old, with rumours that the bowler could miss the whole series.

Alex Kountouris, the Australian team physio, said: "The scan revealed he has a small strain in one of his abdominal muscles - the internal oblique muscle.

"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, 32, would be fit for next week's second Test at Lord's, Kountouris added: "He is not out but the chances are slim."

Lee, who has not played a Test since December due to foot and ankle injuries, added: "This is only a small obstacle put in front of me.

"If it was my ankle and something of a structural thing I would be a lot more concerned."

The Lord's Test starts four day after the first Test concludes in Cardiff

"He is a superstar performer and we saw that in Worcester," said Kevin Pietersen, the England batsman. "We also know that whatever team they put out they are very, very good so it doesn't matter if Brett Lee plays or not. We are just going to concentrate on what we do."

Lee has 310 wickets from 76 Tests and, after the retirements of Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, the leader of the attack. But injuries have shadowed Lee in recent years and underwent ankle and foot operations in January.

Michael Clarke, the Australia vice-captain said earlier: "He's worked really hard over the last 12 months to get back.

"I only found out this morning that he was having the scans, so it came as a bit of a surprise to me. The most important thing is to get Brett as fit as possible."

Both sides had their first proper look at Cardiff today but heavy rain forced them into using the indoor nets.

"We just want it go get started now," added Pietersen. "There has been a lot of talk about this series and we are all ready to get into battle. We want to go out and play positive cricket and the cricket we have played over the last few months has been impressive. That is the kind of cricket we want to play.

"They will come at us and are the best team in the world so we go into the series as underdogs but it will be a tough series."

With Lee unfit Ben Hilfenhaus is in line to link up with Mitchell Johnson and Peter Siddle to form Australia's seam attack.