Aug. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Australia fast bowler Brett Lee was admitted to hospital with a possible knee infection, three days before the third Ashes cricket Test against England starts in Manchester. The top-ranked nation is already missing Glenn McGrath.

The 28-year-old Lee, Australia's fastest bowler, was taken to hospital in Birmingham late this afternoon after experiencing ``swelling and discomfort'' in his left knee, Cricket Australia said in a statement. He's currently undergoing treatment and tests, and it's not known whether he'll miss the forthcoming Test, team spokesman Jonathan Rose said in a phone interview.

Lee led an Australian rally in the second Test in Birmingham, hitting an unbeaten 43 as the tourists went from 175- 8 overnight to 279 all out, three runs shy of the 282 it required. Lee also took 4-82 in the second innings as England tied the five-match series 1-1.

McGrath, Australia's most successful fast bowler, picked up an ankle injury by stepping on a cricket ball during the warmup for the second Test and did not play in the match.

McGrath, who took nine wickets and became the fourth cricketer to pass 500 Test wickets in Australia's 239-run win at Lord's in the opener last month, hopes to be fit for the fourth Test.

To contact the reporter on this story: Ravi Ubha in London at rubha@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: August 8, 2005 14:36 EDT