Opening batsman Phil Jaques has been ruled out of Australia's tour to India because of a persistent back injury.
"Phil has had a long standing problem with his lower back that has been manageable up until now," said team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.
"The point has come where the injury is significantly limiting his ability to play, so he will return to Australia."
Chief selector Andrew Hilditch said a decision on a replacement for Jaques, 29, would be made in a few days.
"This is obviously disappointing news for Phil. We're hoping the treatment is successful and he can return to cricket as soon as possible," he added.
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Jaques has played in 11 Tests for his country, averaging 47.47 runs with a high score of 150.
But he missed out on a place in the drawn first Test against India after losing what coach Tim Nielsen described as a "bat-off" with Simon Katich in the West Indies earlier in the year.
Although both made centuries in that series, Katich scored 319 runs at an average of 63, compared to Jaques's 245 at 40.
Among the possible candidates to replace Jaques in India are Shaun Marsh, a member of Australia's one-day side, and Chris Rogers, who played his only Test against India in Perth in January, and 19-year-old Australia A opener Philip Hughes.
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