BRETT LEE has been advised to return to cricket as soon as possible following the break-up of his two-year marriage, and should be available for the October tour of India.
Lee's manager, Neil Maxwell, a close friend, has told Australia's premier paceman he needs to get back to the field quickly.
"He will need to take some stock, he'll need a couple of weeks," Maxwell said. "The plan is for him to take stock mentally and otherwise, and I have advised him he needs to get back onto the field as soon as he can."
Lee, 31, issued a statement pleading for privacy yesterday after it was reported that he had separated from his wife, Liz Kemp, with whom he has a one-year-old son, Preston.
"We have been caught by surprise as to how quickly our situation has become public," Lee said. "It is with regret that I confirm today's media reports are correct and that Liz and I have decided to separate.
"Given the personal nature of the matter I ask that you please respect our privacy as we attempt to deal with this sensitive situation."
Lee will miss the three-match one-day series against Bangladesh in Darwin, starting on Saturday week. Australia is unlikely to take part in the Champions Trophy tournament scheduled for Pakistan from September 12-28 due to safety concerns, so Lee will have a few weeks to regroup.
Surprisingly, Tasmanian right-arm quick Brett Geeves has been called up in his place. Geeves is not a part of Cricket Australia's top 25 players but has been given the nod ahead of NSW's Doug Bollinger and Queenslander Ashley Noffke, both who will instead tour India with the Australia A team from September 3-26.
While teammates and Australian officials have offered all the support Lee needs as he battles his personal crisis, they are also well aware he will be a critical cog in their attempts to defeat the Indians on their home soil and hope he will be mentally ready for the arduous tour. Lee is Australia's most successful sporting export in India, where he is revered with Bollywood star status. Skipping the Indian tour could harm his burgeoning business interests in the subcontinent.
It has been proposed that Australia fly to India earlier if they don't play in the trophy, to better acclimatise to Indian conditions. The first Test is to be held on October9 in Bangalore but they will play a warm-up match on October2.
An earlier departure could mean the side leaves in a little over four weeks. Lee will spend time with his parents, siblings and friends as he deals with his marriage break-up, but has no plans to leave Sydney.
The Indian Test series is hugely important for the No.1-ranked Australians, particular after the bitter series between the two teams last summer and India's continued boasting that Australia's long-running domination is coming to an end.
Geeves was ecstatic with his selection, but also expressed sympathy for Lee.
"I am like everyone else in Australia and just want to see Brett back as soon as possible, he is a very important member of the side," he said.
The 26-year-old, who played for the Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League, will join the squad in Brisbane on Sunday for a training camp.