Lee cleared of serious ankle injury

Brett Lee's ankle injury is not as bad as first feared - although the Australia paceman will sit out the first Chappell-Hadlee Trophy match with New Zealand.

Lee was taken to hospital after slipping during a fielding drill, where he had a scan that revealed no major break - a relief with the World Cup starting on March 13.

A Cricket Australia spokesman confirmed further tests will be carried out, with the results not available until after the game in Wellington.

However, England all-rounder Paul Collingwood has backed Lee to overcome the injury in time for the World Cup.

"I'm sure he'll be raring to go and will bounce back if he's got any sort of injury," Collingwood told Sky Sports News.

"We'll have to see what extent it is but I'm sure he'll be out there trying his hardest for Australia if he's anywhere near fit."