Brett Lee will miss first Ashes Test due to Strain

Australia's Brett Lee has been ruled out of the first Ashes Test and is a serious doubt for the second. Photograph: Andrew Couldridge/Action Images

Australia's Ashes plans have been thrown into disarray less than 48 hours before the start of the series in Cardiff with the news that their fastest bowler, Brett Lee, is to miss the first Test – and in all probability the second – with a side strain.

Lee felt soreness in his left rib area following Australia's four-day game in Worcester last week, and went for a scan this morning in Cardiff. The Cricket Australia physiotherapist, Alex Kountouris, 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," added Kountouris. Asked if Lee, 32, would be fit for next week's second Test at Lord's, the physio said: "He is not out but the chances are slim."

Lee, who has not played Test cricket since December following ankle surgery, 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."

"Being a fast bowler, injuries are the nature of the beast and I will be working hard to look to bowl again around the two-week mark and reassess after that. For the first time in a number of years I have bowled totally pain-free in the ankle, so the surgery and rehabilitation has been a real success, which is great.