Cardiff (Wales), July 6 : Australian fast bowler Brett Lee suffered a side injury on the eve of the first Ashes Test, placing him in doubt for the first Test against England to be played here from Wednesday (July 8).

Lee complained of a sore left rib and was asked to undergo a scan to determine the seriousness of the injury last night.

Lee, who claimed seven wickets in a tour match against the England Lions last week, will be sorely missed if he has to opt out. His ability to swing the old ball at express pace is a key plank of Australia''s Ashes plans.

"He''s gone for scans to investigate the source of the pain. Results are expected late tonight or tomorrow morning. We won''t be able to go into any more detail until we get those results," The Telegraph quoted an Australian team spokesman, as saying last night. (ANI)