Despite terrorising New Zealand's batsmen in the recent One-day series, and twice breaking the magical 160 kilometres (99 mile) an hour barrier, Lee found himself carrying the drinks in the first Test at Jade Stadium.
New Zealand posted 265 for three on the first day after being sent into bat.
The Australian selection panel of Trevor Hohns, Allan Border, David Boon and Andrew Hilditch opted for the pace attack of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Michael Kasprowicz, who served them ably in Tests this season.
"It's no secret that Brett performed particularly well through the one-day series, but all the fast bowlers did and have done previously. I think the selectors took every possible thought into that selection meeting and that's the team they came up with," Buchanan said.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting said before the team announcement that he thought Lee had a psychological hold over the New Zealand batsmen, but that apparently wasn't enough.
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and century-maker Hamish Marshall were non-committal about Lee's omission.
"As it turned out they had to make a tough decision, all we could worry about was the worst case scenario which was four seamers coming at us at once. Dropping one off made it an easier morning, but not by much," Fleming said.
Marshall scored his maiden Test century and Craig Cumming added 74 as New Zealand dominated Australia on day one of the first Test here.
"They're all quality bowlers. He's a guy with something a little bit different, but any of those bowlers on their day can rip through a side," Marshall said.
One person who wasn't taking Lee's omission lying down was his manager Neil Maxwell, a former New Zealand Cricket marketing manager, who said it was a disgrace and claimed the home batsmen were "paranoid" about Lee.
"When you've got a person that has the wood over an opposition the way he has, to leave him out to play an attack built around three very similar bowlers -- particularly when he has done everything asked of him -- on the basis the other three have done nothing wrong, is a weak argument."