Brett Lee ... Australia's only serious World Cup injury concern. - ReutersSYDNEY (Reuters):
AUSTRALIA'S INJURY problems appear to be easing with fast bowler Brett Lee the only player still in serious doubt for the World Cup.
Five of the 15 players in Australia's World Cup squad are struggling with injuries but only Lee is considered to be in danger of missing the tournament.
50/50 proposition
The paceman has admitted he is only a 50/50 proposition after being sent home from the world champions' short tour of New Zealand when he damaged ankle ligaments during training.
Lee will visit a specialist in Sydney today so a decision on his availability can be made early next week. Stuart Clark looms as the most likely replacement if Lee if he is ruled out.
Captain Ricky Ponting (back) and Michael Clarke (hip) also missed the tour of New Zealand but there are no major fears of either batsman missing the World Cup with the team due to fly out on Wednesday.
All-rounder Andrew Symonds and opening batsman Matthew Hayden will miss Australia's two warm-up matches in the Caribbean, against Zimbabwe and England, and possibly the early pool games, but are expected to be ready for the latter stages.
Symonds underwent surgery on his right shoulder but has told his teammates he was "feeling great", and Hayden declared himself ready despite breaking his toe during his record-breaking 181 not out against New Zealand on Tuesday.
Specialist
Hayden visited a specialist on Wednesday and told reporters the injury had stabilised, adding that he was confident of being ready for Australia's first pool game against Scotland on March 14.
"There is nothing structurally wrong except for the fracture. We will review things on Monday but in terms of a break, it's as good as it gets," Hayden told The Australian newspaper.
"We've had a few injury scares but come those big, important games of the year, we will be right up for them."
