Lillee's own career was interrupted by a serious back injury

Fast bowlers Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee are currently sidelined by injuries along with batsman Daren Lehmann.

"The game, as it is played these days, is the biggest culprit.

"From once sensibly spaced tours, today's well-paid top cricketers have to endure non-stop demands on their services," said Lillee.

Writing in the West Australian newspaper, Lillee accused the game's authorities of subjecting players to "crippling itineraries" with pace bowlers, in particular, being pushed to "breaking point".

He said: "Their long-term survival under intolerable workloads is comparable to playing Russian roulette."

McGrath (ankle), Gillespie (side) and Lee (stomach muscle and ankle) are all missing from the Australian team for the triangular one-day series in India,also involving New Zealand.

Lillee suggests that administrators consider the possible re-introduction of rest days during Tests.

Australia are due to play 34 Test matches and about 90 one-day internationals before the end of 2005.