Australia all-rounder James Faulkner has been ruled out of the three-match Twenty20 series with England as well as the Test tour of South Africa due to a knee injury.
Faulkner pulled up sore following his man-of-the-match performance at Adelaide on Sunday in the fifth one-day international and flew to Melbourne to have the injury assessed after a post-game a scan.
The 23-year-old underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in Melbourne today and his absence is likely to hinder Australia's plans for the World Twenty20.
He is a pivotal player in the shortest format - while he is on the fringes of the Test side - and Australia retain hope that he will return to full fitness before the tournament in Bangladesh starts on March 16.
Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris said: "James' exact rehab plan and return to training and playing will be determined after surgery but, unfortunately for him, he will not be available for the upcoming Test tour of South Africa.
"We are hopeful that he will recover in time to play the Twenty20 games on that tour and take part in the ICC World Twenty20."
Faulkner will be replaced by Kane Richardson for the T20 internationals versus England, while Moises Henriques will come in for the Tests against South Africa.
National selector John Inverarity said: "Moises Henriques has shown some good form recently with both bat and ball and he provides a good fit when looking to replace James.
"Kane Richardson has been called to Hobart to replace James in our Twenty 20 squad. He has shown promise as a shorter-form young cricketer and will gain from the experience of being involved."
Cricket Australia also revealed top-order batsman Shaun Marsh and seamer Jackson Bird will not travel with the squad to South Africa.
Marsh is attempting to overcome a calf injury he suffered in Adelaide on Sunday and will remain in Perth to undergo further treatment, while Bird is being assessed by CA in Hobart over an undisclosed ailment.