Brett Lee's career was under serious threat last night when he was ruled out of cricket for six weeks.
The struggling spearhead will miss this week's SCG Test and next month's one-day series with a foot stress injury as a shell-shocked Australia launched a nationwide hunt for a replacement.
Lee may have to wear a custom-made boot to rest the left-foot injury and he is also in doubt for the away Test series against South Africa starting in February.
It is believed scans uncovered more than one stress-related problem in Lee's aching left foot but the paceman last night insisted he would be back.
"These things happen for a reason," Lee said.
"I am going to use this period out of the game constructively and make sure I get my body back to peak fitness."
If an injury to its only experienced pace bowler wasn't enough, all-rounder Andrew Symonds can hardly run with a painful knee injury.
Symonds bowled 11 overs of pedestrian off-spin yesterday as Australian captain Ricky Ponting searched for a way to regain momentum heading South Africa's way at crushing speed.
In one of the most stunning fightbacks seen in Australia, J.P. Duminy blasted a brilliant 166 while fast bowler Dale Steyn defied his previous Test average of 9.8 to smash 76.
The pendulum had swung so much that South Africa was finally bowled out for 459 and held a 61-run lead when Australia went to stumps at 0-4.
Australia dropped three catches and was labelled "clueless" by former Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy.
South Africa's last three wickets added 275 runs, with tailenders Dale Steyn (76) and Paul Harris (39) joining the party.
"The Australians are clueless at the moment. They are going through the motions," Healy said in commentary.
Australian physiotherapist Alex Kountouris confirmed last night that Lee would miss the Sydney Test and be out of cricket for four to six weeks.
"I don't think he will be able to play for the Sydney Test. We are going to rest him for a period of time to let him settle," Kountouris said.
"It's not far off being a stress fracture. At the moment the crack is not there but it is not far away.
"We organised a scan which showed he has got a stress reaction in one of the bones of his foot. When we got here today he couldn't run and it was very painful."
Australia will still try to get Lee to the bowling crease in the second innings, believing the injury cannot worsen much more.
The Lee injury will force a shake-up in Australia's fast bowling ranks with either Ben Hilfenhaus or Doug Bollinger set to make their Test debut in Sydney.
Even though Lee was struggling this series with a terrible return of 1-200, Australia knows it is a major body blow to lose him.
"Losing Brett Lee out of your attack will certainly have an affect on our team," vice-captain Michael Clarke said.
Australia has only a remote prospect of winning the Boxing Day blockbuster, especially a fast bowler down, and if it cannot conjure an MCG miracle it also cannot win the series.
As Australia's bowling stocks crumbled, the decision not to play Shane Watson came back to bite it as its bowling potency was as flat as a tack.
- BEN DORRIES