Australia's World Cup aspirations suffered their biggest blow of a nightmare fortnight with Brett Lee ruled out of the tournament.

Already reeling after five straight defeats, Australia will leave for the West Indies next week minus their strike bowler and with their aura as champions of world cricket all but diminished.

With injury concerns still hovering over Andrew Symonds and Matthew Hayden, Lee's worst fears were confirmed when doctors told the pace bowler he would not be able to bowl on his injured ankle for at least two months.

Fellow NSW quick Stuart Clark was rushed into the 15-man squad, but chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch admitted the loss of Lee was a severe blow to Australia's bid for a third straight World Cup title.

"It is really devastating news for him as an individual but also a pretty severe blow for our World Cup campaign," Hilditch said.

"Obviously he was an important player and a very important member of our squad."

Lee damaged ligaments in his left ankle last week during a training mishap before the Chappell-Hadlee series in New Zealand - a tournament resting vice-captain Adam Gilchrist this week claimed the team didn't need.

Without the 30-year-old spearhead, Australia's bowlers were mercilessly hammered in the three-match series.

They took just 13 wickets while conceding two of the three biggest run chases in one-day history - 336 and 346 - in crashing to a disastrous 3-0 series sweep on grounds similar in size to what Australia will experience in the Caribbean.

Lee had been hoping to make a quick recovery to keep his World Cup dream alive, and was understandably gutted.

"To get told that you can't be a chance to play in the World Cup is really disappointing," Lee said.

"I couldn't undergo those exercises, there's too much pain there... there was absolutely no chance of me playing in the World Cup."

Australia is still clinging to hope that all-rounder Symonds (biceps) will be fit to play in the middle stages of the tournament, while opener Hayden (broken toe) remains under a cloud for the team's first match against Scotland on March 14.

The injury woes compound the team's worrying loss of form the past few weeks.

After claiming the Champions Trophy last October and steamrolling through the bulk of the tri-series, Australia is now in the midst of the worst losing streak in a decade.

"Every other nation would take heart from what has happened over the last couple of weeks. But who knows, we won't know until the end of the World Cup how it affects us," Hilditch said.

"The bowling group are obviously a bit down in confidence at the moment. The big key for the World Cup is to get that back up to the levels that it can be."

Lee sent Clark a text message wishing him good luck for the tournament.

"It's really disappointing for Brett, because he's a friend in the team and a friend outside of the team as well," Clark said.

"It's hollow, but I'm still excited about going to the World Cup."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP