The express fast bowler was chosen in a 14-man Australian squad for one-day tournaments in the Netherlands and England starting later this month.

Lee was declared fit by Cricket Australia medical staff following ankle surgery after an early return from the tour to Sri Lanka last March.

Lee faces stiff competition for a start in Australia's fast bowling line-up for the two tournaments.

He was named along with Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath and Michael Kasprowicz.

Lee was injured on the tour of Sri Lanka in March after going for 2-129 off 23 overs in three one-day matches.

He had surgery that month and has since undergone more than four months of rehabilitation, including strengthening and technical work with Australian fast bowling great Dennis Lillee.

"I have been working really hard," Lee said on Monday. "After the initial disappointment of that injury, I focused all my energies into getting back.

"The whole break has given me a chance to reflect on the past five years and assess where my career is at.

"The ankle feels fine, my body feels fresh and I just can't wait to pull on an Australian uniform again."

Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said he was confident Lee was back to full fitness.

"We have ... seen Brett go through his paces in Brisbane recently," Hohns said.

"He is a quality bowler who will give the pace attack some real depth and variety."

At 27, Lee does have age on his side. Gillespie is 29, Kasprowicz 32 and McGrath 34.

In the past year Gillespie has assumed the role of Australia's strike bowler, but McGrath showed he was getting back to his best after his ankle problems in the recent Top End series against Sri Lanka.

Kasprowicz is enjoying an Indian summer in his career and has the advantage of strong recent performances.

The Australians will use a triangular tournament against India and Pakistan in Amsterdam on August 21-28 as a tune-up for the ICC Champions Trophy in England starting in mid-September.

Adam Gilchrist will miss the Netherlands leg because of the impending birth of his second child. New South Wales keeper Brad Haddin will fill in for him and Darren Lehmann will assume the vice-captaincy.

SQUAD
Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist (vice captain), Michael Clarke, Jason Gillespie, Ian Harvey, Matthew Hayden, Brad Hogg, Michael Kasprowicz, Brett Lee, Darren Lehmann, Damien Martyn, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Symonds, Shane Watson (Brad Haddin to stand in for Gilchrist in the Netherlands' tournament).