Australian pace ace Mitchell Starc's summer of cricket could be over after suffering stress fractures in a foot.
Starc won't bowl again in the inaugural day-night Test against New Zealand after suffering stress fractures to the third metatarsal bone in his right foot.
Starc hobbled from Adelaide Oval on Friday after taking three New Zealand wickets.
The left-armer was sent for scans which revealed an injury which usually takes at least six weeks to heal.
"It's obviously very disappointing, he was bowling so well and has been bowling well for a very long time," teammate Peter Siddle told reporters.
"You never want one of your teammates to go down, especially so early on."
Starc had claimed 3-24 from nine overs before succumbing to the injury.
He is long odds to feature in the three-Test series against the West Indies which starts on December 10 in Hobart.
Fellow quick James Pattinson is favoured as Starc's replacement after the Victorian was made 12th man for the Adelaide Test.
Pattinson has been released from Test duties with the Australian squad and, curiously, will play for Victoria in their Sheffield Shield match against Western Australia despite the match starting on Friday.
Pattinson will play on days three and four of the Shield fixture.
Starc's absence comes after fast bowling spearhead Mitchell Johnson retired following the second Test against the Kiwis in Perth.
But his pace partner Siddle said while Starc would be missed in Adelaide, he believed Australia had the bowling depth to cover his absence.
"We have got enough bowling in our line-up anyway to take the 10 more wickets needed, so I think we'll be fine," Siddle said.
"But it's very disappointing for him. He has been on fire and I think he showed that again today - even with a bit of pain, he could get the job done and get those few breakthroughs for us in the middle order.
"We know Starcy - he'll be back.
"It's a nice little rest for him. It's not a bad thing for him at this time of the year. I think he will be back firing in no time at all."
Starc will bat, if required, in the Adelaide Test.
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