MANCHESTER, July 9: Australia's Brett Lee and Shane Watson both had their tour of England cut short by calf problems on Monday as they were ruled out of Tuesday's fifth One-day International at Old Trafford.

The duo, who suffered their injuries while bowling during a crushing eight-wicket defeat at Chester-le-Street on Saturday that gave England a series-clinching 3-0 lead in the five-match contest, were due to fly home to Australia later on Monday.

Australia team doctor John Orchard said in a statement: “Shane Watson and Brett Lee have calf strains – Shane to the left and Brett to the right calf – sustained during the fourth ODI against England at Durham.

“This is the opposite calf to the injury Shane had last [Australian] summer. Because both players will miss the final game, they are flying back to Sydney for MRI scans and further treatment.

“At this stage, they are anticipated to be available for consideration for selection for the ICC World Twenty20 [in Sri Lanka starting in September], with scan results and response to treatment to determine whether they will be available for consideration for selection for the coming series against Pakistan in the UAE.”

Lee, who went off two balls into his second spell on Saturday, and Watson, who managed just the one over, joined teenage paceman Pat Cummins (side strain) in returning home early from the tour, while left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson did not play at Chester-le-Street because of soreness in his right foot.

Johnson, though, insisted on Monday he was fit to play his second match of the series after failing to impress with none for 43 in a wayward seven overs during Australia's six-wicket defeat in the second ODI at The Oval.

“I'm fit and ready to go,” he said. “But the team hasn't been announced or talked about yet,” he said. “I'm over my little foot injury.”

As for the absence of Lee and Watson, Johnson added: “It's a pretty big blow, obviously with the experience of those two guys.

“But it's something we can work with as well. We've got one more chance here to show England and ourselves that we're good enough. I believe we are.”

Fast bowler Lee retired from Test cricket in 2010 in a bid to prolong his career in shorter formats.

However, at the age of 35, this setback is bound to lead to questions about how long he can keep going for Australia.

Meanwhile Watson, an opening batsman and medium-pacer, has seen his career blighted by a succession of injuries, leading many to question whether the 31-year-old's body can cope with the demands of his preferred all-rounder role.—AFP