Australia one-day specialist Michael Bevan has been ruled out of the rest of the VB tri-series against India and Zimbabwe with a fractured rib.

Bevan, who made a run-a-ball 56 despite batting with the problem during Thursday's washed-out match against Zimbabwe in Melbourne, is expected to be out for between two and six weeks.

The left-hander will miss the best-of-three final against India starting on February 6 and is also in doubt for next month's one-day series in Sri Lanka.

The 33-year-old suffered the injury while batting in the nets earlier in the week.

"I just got hit under the ribs and felt some discomfort," Bevan told a news conference at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

"Halfway through the innings tonight I just felt it go a little bit worse than what it had in the past."

Bevan, a two times World Cup winner, said he felt discomfort in breathing, running and when making sharp movements.

Australia team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said x-rays showed a crack on the border of the fifth rib.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said Bevan, ranked by Wisden in 2002 as one of the top five batsmen to have played one-day cricket, would leave a huge hole.

"It's a loss for us and hopefully someone can fill his shoes and play the role that he plays for us," he said.