Hilfenhaus steps in for injured Lee

Australia called up swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus on Monday to replace injured paceman Brett Lee for the one-day international against Sri Lanka.

Hilfenhaus was instrumental in Australia’s Test whitewash of India, where he was the top wicket-taker with 27 scalps for an average 17.22, and selectors said he would stand in for Lee at Friday’s one-dayer in Perth.

“The bowling attack for Perth is likely to be the same as the one that did so well in Melbourne and Ben will be in Perth to provide cover,” said national selector John Inverarity.

Lee has been ruled out of action for up to six weeks after fracturing the little toe of his right foot when he was struck by a ball against India in Friday’s Twenty20 in Melbourne.

Australia opened the tri-nation ODI series with a convincing 65-run win over India on Sunday.

India meet Sri Lanka on Wednesday and Australia and Sri Lanka square off on Friday.

Inverarity said Mitchell Marsh, who stepped in for the then appendicitis-afflicted Lee in Australia’s ODI series against South Africa in October, had also been confirmed for Sunday’s ODI against India.

Marsh, 20, has been playing domestic fixtures in his native Perth.