Wright could be out for up to nine months

Tasmanian Wright will undergo surgery at the end of the Australian season and could be out for up to nine months.

"It's obviously disappointing because we planned the team around him but we're not going to rush into replacing him," said coach Dave Houghton.

"Whoever we get has got to be available for six months because we don't want to have to replace him mid-season."

Houghton is looking for another "bowling all-rounder" like Wright, and could look again at Australia reserve players.

But he appears to have ruled out his former Zimbabwe team-mate Heath Streak, who will be on international duty for some of the season.