The Australian all-rounder Shane Watson concedes he's in doubt for the first cricket Test against New Zealand and even if he does play, he will be unable to bowl.
Watson left the field on the first day of the second Test against South Africa at the Wanderers after he strained his right hamstring bowling, and while he was able to bat and run between the wickets well enough to score 88 in Australia's first innings, the injury remains a concern.
That leaves Australia with three of their best players in danger of missing the Gabba Test against New Zealand, which begins in 11 days.
The new number three, Shaun Marsh, flew home from South Africa after injuring his back during the loss in Cape Town, while the in-form fast bowler Ryan Harris has also returned to Australia to deal with a hip problem.
But neither of those men would be as big a loss as Watson, who is the team's vice-captain, opening batsman and an important wicket-taking change bowler.
