A shoulder injury has forced Darren Lehmann out of the running for a place in the Australian team for the Test series in New Zealand.
Lehmann lost his spot in the one-day side after a barren run with the bat this summer but was hoping to remain in the Test squad, which will be announced later this week.
However, he announced on Tuesday he was unavailable for the three-Test tour because he needed a shoulder operation.
"The shoulder would not stand up to the rigors of three international Test matches," Lehmann said in a statement.
"I want to get the shoulder right so that I am fit and ready for selection for the Ashes later in the year."
Australia's chairman of selectors, Trevor Hohns said: "Whilst it is disappointing for Darren that he is unavailable for selection to tour New Zealand, it is important that he has this surgery to enable him to continue his cricketing career in the future."
Meanwhile, New Zealand opening batsman Nathan Astle joined his team's mounting injury toll when he damaged his shoulder attempting a catch in Tuesday's one-day loss to Australia in Wellington.
Astle was ruled out of Saturday's final one-dayer in Napier but is expected to play in the first Test starting March 10.
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