The operation, however, was successful and if his rehabilitation programme goes as expected then Lee would be available for selection for the Twenty20 World Cup in England later this year.

'The surgery involved the removal of bone fragments that had been causing pain at the back of the ankle. As this injury is expected to keep him out of cricket for some time, it was decided it would be an opportune time to address the ankle injury,' Cricket Australia (CA) said in a statement Sunday.

Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said : 'If Brett's rehabilitation programme goes to plan he is expected to be available for selection for Australia for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup later this year.'

The fast bowler will also remain on track for a full recovery in time for this year's Ashes series.

Surgeon David Young removed floating fragments and a small bone spur from Lee's left ankle, and further exploration showed that the 32-year-old had also broken the fourth metatarsal in his left foot during Australia's loss at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) against South Africa.

Lee's agent, Neil Maxwell, said his client had required up to eight pain-killing injections to get through the second innings at the MCG.'I saw him take his shoe off after the game and it looked like a pin cushion from all the needles. It was a gutsy effort,' Maxwell was quoted as saying by The Age.

Lee will return to Sydney Monday and has been ruled out of Australia's forthcoming tour of South Africa.