With Brett Lee still not fully fit, Australia replaced him with fellow pacer Doug Bollinger for ODI series against Pakistan.

Lee will remain in South Africa to continue his rehabilitation and would join the squad if deemed fit later in the tour, a Cricket Australia release said on Wednesday.

"Lee is not yet fit"

"The National Selection Panel has been advised by Cricket Australia medical staff that Brett Lee is not yet fit enough to resume international cricket," NSP Chairman Andrew Hilditch said.

"While it's disappointing for Brett to miss the start of the VB Pakistan Series, the NSP wants to take a careful approach to his return to the Australian team.

The series is starting on April 22 in Dubai.

"Doug Bollinger will join the squad in the UAE. Doug was probably a bit disappointed not to get a run during the Test series in South Africa, but this is an opportunity for Doug to impress at One-day level for Australia and I'm sure it's an opportunity he'll be keen to make the most of," he added.

Lee's rehabilitation process is ongoing on

Australia team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said though Lee has recovered from his surgery, he has not bowled enough to be fit for international cricket and needs to be monitored for some more time.

"Brett's ankle has recovered well from surgery in January this year. However, the rehabilitation process is ongoing and, to date, Brett has not bowled sufficiently to allow him to be fit to resume playing cricket.

"Brett will remain in South Africa to continue the rehabilitation program and gradually increase his bowling volume and intensity. I will be monitoring Brett's progress to assess his availability for any part of the VB series against Pakistan in the UAE," he said.