Mitchell Starc is in doubt for Australia's T20 World Cup campaign with the fast bowler to undergo ankle surgery.
Cricket Australia on Thursday confirmed the left-armer, whose injury has ruled him out from the current Test series against the West Indies, has met with specialists and will go under the knife.
"We believe the best course of action would be for Mitchell to have the surgery for his ankle impingement now while he is currently laid off with the stress fracture in his foot," team physiotherapist David Beakley said.
His return-to-play timeframes will be clearer once the surgery is completed but it is unlikely he'll be available for the ICC World T20.
The tournament starts in India on March 11 and if Starc is not fit in time, his likely return to international cricket will be Australia's tour of the West Indies in June.
Bone spurs in Starc's right ankle have been managed throughout the year but caused the 25-year-old obvious discomfort in the closing days of Australia's November three-Test series against New Zealand.
Head selector Rod Marsh has already ruled out Starc for Australia's February two-Test tour of NZ.
"In an ideal world we'd like to have him playing in the (T20) World Cup. It may happen," Marsh said at the start of December.
A date for Starc's surgery will be confirmed in coming days.
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