A "distraught" Brett Lee is reeling from a trans-Tasman nightmare that saw him cut from both the Australian and NSW sides in the space of three hours.

Lee described it as the lowest point in his career after being cut from the Pura Cup final shortly after being named 12th man for the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington.

The paceman was released to play against Queensland in line with the wishes of Test captain Ricky Ponting, who was desperate to see him get some much-needed first-class action.

But not even a chartered flight organised by himself and friends could save Lee, whose two hours of phone deliberations with Cricket NSW ended with the bold move viewed as too risky for a Blues side which would have been forced to play with 10 men for two sessions.

Lee's plane would have enabled him to arrive at the Gabba by lunch but his absence during the opening session would have rendered him ineligible for the next.

Australian team management ruled out the possibility of Lee leaving camp before the Test started in the event of a late injury to one of its three quicks.

"This is definitely the lowlight of my career to date," Lee said.

"Not being chosen in two teams on one day, it doesn't get any worse than that. It would have been great to go back and be part of the NSW make-up.

"But they decided that two sessions was too much (to miss) and I know it would have been hard for a captain and hard for the players knowing they were going into the start of a final with only 10 players if they bowled first.

"I'm totally distraught and disappointed."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP