Australia bowler Brett Lee is set to be sidelined for up to five months after undergoing surgery to correct a long-standing problem with his left ankle.
It was decided that Lee should have surgery on Saturday as the 32-year-old was also expected to be out for some time with a metatarsal injury.
Lee suffered a stress fracture of a metatarsal bone during the second Test against South Africa in Melbourne.
But he is expected to be available for the World Twenty20 in June.
Australia team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said: "If Brett's rehabilitation program goes to plan he is expected to be available for selection for Australia for the ICC World Twenty20 later this year."
Lee told Australia's Channel Nine: "I have been through four of these (operations) now ... I know that I can overcome it and I am looking forward to the challenge.
"I want to offer a few more years of cricket and I know that I can offer that.
"It is going to be a challenge, it is going to be hard work, there is no doubting that. But I know that if I do put my mind to it I do really want to come back and play for Australia."
The principal target would, of course, be the Ashes series with the first of five Tests in Cardiff from 8 July.
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