Australia all-rounder Cameron Green was ruled out of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series against India, which starts on November 22.
Owing to a stress fracture in his spine that will need six months to heal after surgery, Green will probably also miss February's Test tour to Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy.
His participation in the IPL is also in doubt.
The 25-year-old seam-bowling all-rounder was diagnosed with a problem in his lower back after experiencing pain during last month's UK tour.
Earlier, Green reportedly suffered four stress fractures in his back but has not met any issues in that area since 2019.
"Whilst spine stress fractures are not unusual in pace bowlers, Cam has a unique defect in an adjacent area to the fracture that is believed to be contributing to the injury," said Cricket Australia (CA) statement.
According to reports, Green has decided to opt for a similar type of surgery undergone by several pacers including Jasprit Bumrah, James Pattinson, Jason Behrendorff, and Ben Dwarshuis.
"After thorough consultation, it was determined Cameron would benefit from the surgery to stabilise the defect and reduce the risk of future recurrence," CA said.
The statement continued, "The surgery has been performed successfully with elite pace bowlers. Recovery time is anticipated to be around six months.”
"The decision to proceed to surgery is with Cameron’s long-term future as an all-rounder in mind," the statement added.
The operation will be performed by New Zealand surgeons Grahame Inglis and Rowan Schouten, which involves screws and titanium wire to bind vertebrae together, according to reports.
His absence would mean Australia will have to re-shuffle their batting order.
Green returned to the Test side following veteran opener David Warner's retirement earlier this year, and Steve Smith was pushed to open the innings.
However, the veteran struggled at the top of the order and will drop back to his preferred number four position, which has been left vacant by Green.
The selectors will now keep an eye on Australia's A series against India where the likes of Cameron Bancroft, and teen prodigy Sam Konstas will vie for the vacant spot.
Additionally, Australia will also have to find someone to bowl Green's overs.
Mitchell Marsh did not bowl in Western Australia's Sheffield Shield match against Queensland and hardly rolled his arm while captaining the white-ball teams over the winter.
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