The Australian cricket team`s embattled duo of pace spearhead Brett Lee and all-rounder Andrew Symonds will go under the knife this week to recover from their injuries
in time for the side`s return tour to South Africa in February.

Symonds needs an arthroscope on his knee and Lee is opting for one on his ankle in the hope of getting fit in time for the three-Test series in South Africa starting February.

Lee, who took only one wicket in two Tests against the Proteas, has a stress “hot spot” in his left ankle and will have a clean-up surgery.

The pacer was originally ordered to rest the foot for six weeks, but medical
staff feel he would have to be operated upon to clear the debris that have built up over the course of 580.1 overs in 2008 — the most by any paceman in the world this year, save for fellow pacer Mitchell Johnson.

“It looks as though I will have to have surgery on Saturday. There is a lot of bone in the back of the ankle as well as the foot,” Lee said.
“I am thinking if I have to be out for six to eight weeks with a foot injury, I might as well get the whole back of my ankle fixed.”

Symonds played the two Tests against South Africa with an injured knee after a heavy fall during the Adelaide Test against New Zealand and, with the series already lost, it has been decided to get the knee attended to immediately.

All-rounder Shane Watson has also been ruled out of international cricket for six months after suffering a recurring stress fracture in his lower back.