Brett-LeeMELBOURNE - Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has ruled out his comeback in the third Ashes Test against England next week, reducing the pressure on Mitchell Johnson to retain his place.

Lee fears that if he rushes back to try to help Australia level the series and breaks down again, he could ruin the team’s Ashes campaign and his tour.

If he were available, the experienced Lee could have forced his way back into the side at the expense of Johnson, who has been Australia’s worst bowler in the two Tests.

“I’d be lying if I said I was available for the third Test because it’s going to be very, very tight,” Lee was quoted as saying in the Australian.

“I don’t want to put the team in jeopardy because there is a chance something might happen.

“It’s not a great outcome if I’m out there bowling and I tear it again. It would leave the team short and wreck my chances of finishing the Ashes tour.”

Lee hopes to begin bowling again soon if his side strain has sufficiently healed, but it will not be in Australia’s tour match against Northampton over the next three days.

He said he is now aiming a return in the fourth Test.

“You could be out for 10 to 12 weeks. The way I’m looking now I’m focused on aiming for the fourth Test and making sure I’m right.

“A batsman can come straight back in and bat but a bowler has to build up their pace again. So I need a week and a half or two weeks to get myself ready.

“The way I’ve planned it is I hope to start bowling in the next day or two, which will leave me exactly two weeks of bowling to get up to full pace again.”