AUSTRALIA will take a full-strength squad to next month's mini-World Cup one-day tournament in England after pace bowler Brett Lee was passed fit to return to international cricket.
Lee, who has not played since March when he was forced out of the tour to Sri Lanka and underwent ankle surgery, yesterday was named in a 14-man squad for the two-week tournament.
Lee's return underscores Cricket Australia's desire to secure the biennial ICC Champions Trophy, which features all Test-playing nations. It remains the one major limited-overs prize to have eluded the world champions.
The 27-year-old claims to be pain free in his left ankle for the first time in a decade and has been working closely with former Test fast bowler Dennis Lillee in recent months.
"We have been monitoring Brett's progress since March and ... we are confident that he is back to full strength," chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said yesterday.
"He is a quality bowler who will give the pace attack some real depth and variety for this very important tournament."
Lee's inclusion -- at the expense of fellow quick Brad Williams who is recovering from a back injury -- is the only change to the squad that toured Zimbabwe in May.
The Australians will prepare for the Champions Trophy with a short warm-up tournament against India and Pakistan in The Netherlands this month. But they will do so without vice-captain Adam Gilchrist who will remain in Perth with wife Mel who is expecting the couple's second baby.
Gilchrist will join the touring party in England early next month.
He will be replaced by NSW keeper Brad Haddin for the Holland tournament, where Darren Lehmann will assume the role of vice-captain.