Leading South African batsman Jacques Kallis will not be considered for next month's tour of Sri Lanka after surgery, Cricket South Africa (CSA) said on Thursday.
Kallis had surgery on Wednesday on the tennis elbow injury that has affected his leading arm since November.
The CSA statement quoted the chairman of their medical committee, Shuaib Manjra, as saying: "The initial diagnosis that surgery was needed has been confirmed.
"His left arm will be immobile for three weeks and then he will commence with rehabilitation. Full healing should take between 10 and 12 weeks."
The convenor of the South African selection panel, Haroon Lorgat, said Kallis would not be considered for the tour.
"We want him fully fit to meet the challenges of a tough season ahead that includes the Champions Trophy in India and ends with the World Cup in the West Indies in March next year," Lorgat said.
South African coach Mickey Arthur said he is disappointed not to have Kallis available for the Sri Lankan tour from July 19 to August 30.
"It is disappointing, but we always knew it was 50-50 that Jacques might miss going to Sri Lanka," Arthur said.
"But we also knew he would never recover fully from the injury up to the World Cup just with rest or continuous injections."
A squad announcement is expected from Lorgat within the next few days.
