Australia paceman Mitchell Johnson will miss the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh because of a toe infection.
Johnson was sent home from the recent tour of South Africa, after suffering a cut to his toe during the third Test, to allow him time to recover for the tournament, which started today.
However, the in-form left-armer has not responded to treatment as quickly as hoped and will now stay in Perth for further rest and recuperation, with Doug Bollinger called into the squad in his place.
Johnson has been in scintillating form in recent months and was instrumental in Australia's Ashes victory over England, and also spearheaded the attack in the 2-1 Test series defeat of South Africa.
He missed the subsequent Twenty20 successes over the Proteas as a result of his injury and Cricket Australia's chief medical officer Dr Justin Paoloni today revealed the 32-year-old risked further complications if he returned too soon.
"Mitchell had a cut on his right big toe after the third Test against South Africa, which became infected when he returned home to Australia after the series," said Paoloni.
"We have given Mitchell as long as we can but unfortunately his infection hasn't responded to the treatment as quickly as we had hoped with swelling remaining in his toe and foot.
"It is difficult to say how quickly the infection will take to resolve and, due to the high risk of infection recurrence with a return to bowling, we feel it is in the best interests of Mitchell's health for him to continue to receive intensive treatment in Perth."
Chairman of selectors John Inverarity admits Johnson's absence is a blow but has every confidence Bollinger can plug the gap, despite not appearing for Australia since October 2011.
Inverarity said: "It was anticipated that Mitch would have a significant impact with his pace and menace.
"Doug has had significant experience in the sub-continent and in international white-ball cricket and his ability to bowl with good pace was a factor in his selection."
Australia open their World T20 campaign against Pakistan next Sunday.