Australian fast bowler Brett Lee's Test career could be in danger of ending sooner than later after it was reported that he is likely to require a surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow that would sideline him for at least two months.
The 33-year-old veteran of 76 Test matches and 310 Test wickets could now be forced to make a decision on his future in the game, as he has been struggling with the injury for the past one year.
Lee is exploring alternatives to surgery, but conceded that it might be the only option.
"If I require an operation to do that, which will only fix the elbow, then yes I will have to have surgery on it. But I'll make sure I exhaust every avenue first," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Lee, as saying.
Lee's manager Neil Maxwell has also indicated that his client was contemplating retirement from Tests.
"It's got to be there in his mind somewhere, (retirement from Test cricket) has to be considered," Maxwell said.
"He is still enthusiastic about playing. He will definitely be playing international cricket, but what forms he will play in, will have to be decided," he added.
The injury has come about through wear and tear on Lee's right arm - his bowling arm, and his hopes of regaining his Test spot this summer are all but over following a flare-up of the injury just a week out from Australia's opening clash against the West Indies in Brisbane.
Even if he does have surgery, he is expected to play Australia's next Test series against New Zealand starting on March 19.
