Lee slams Oz selectors for leaving Warner, Hussey out of ODI team

Former fast bowler Brett Lee has slammed Australian selectors for not picking star players David Warner and Michael Hussey for their limited over series against Sri Lanka, starting this Friday in Melbourne.

The former Australian spearhead is irked that crowd favourite Warner has not been picked, and added that it is unbelievable champion batsman Hussey, with a one-day average of 48, has been denied a farewell lap in one-day colours, News.com.au reports. Lee expressed concern that Australia was resting master blaster Warner and captain Michael Clarke as they field a team with greatly reduced star power.

Lee's thoughts reflect the outrage of many fans that cannot understand why some of the biggest Australian stars are not available to play at the height of summer yet can play in the lucrative Indian Premier League in April and May.

Lee said if he was one of the spectators than he would have paid to watch an ODI only because of star players like Warner and Hussey, adding that crowds would only turn up if the best Australian side was picked. Lee said Warner could have easily played in the first ODI since he was fully fit, and added that no in-form player should be dropped until and unless there are genuine fitness or other reasons.

Lee stressed his comments were nothing against the players who have been picked, as they were fantastic players. Lee, who took 718 international wickets in a grand career including 76 Tests and 221 ODIs, cannot understand how Hussey has been suddenly dropped from this one-day series. Australian selectors claim they are looking to the future - but the next World Cup is not until 2015 in Australia.

Lee said the selectors should have given a rousing farewell to Hussey in one-day cricket since the champion player has earned the right, adding it was unfair to drop such a great batsman.

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