Fast bowler Brett Lee will miss Australia's three-match, limited overs cricket series against Bangladesh starting this month because of a "family issue," Cricket Australia said today.
Acting CA chief executive Michael Brown said Lee has been granted short-term leave, allowing him to miss the matches on August 30, September 3 and 6 in Darwin.
His place in the Australian squad will be taken by uncapped Tasmanian Brett Geeves.
"The selectors are comfortable this move will maintain the competitive edge for the Australian side and provide a wonderful opportunity for Brett Geeves to join the Australian group for the first time," Brown said.
"We look forward to Brett Lee rejoining the group as soon as possible."
Meanwhile Bangladesh today notched their first victory of their tour, beating an Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) team by three wickets in Darwin.
Chasing the AIS total of 8-284, the tourists reached the target in the 45th over at the Gardens Oval, with wicketkeeper Dhiman Ghosh and fast bowler Mashrafe Bin Mortaza both unbeaten on 56 after posting an unbroken stand of 97.
Bangladesh's victory came two days after they were beaten by 14 runs by the AIS in the opening match of the five-match series, a warm-up for their one-day international series against Australia.
Their next match against the AIS is on Friday.
In other news, the tourists have named opener Zunaed Siddique to replace the injured Nazim Uddin in the squad.
Nazim was ruled out of the tour after he tore a tendon in his left ring finger during practice on Monday.
