Australian seam bowler Nathan Bracken has undergone shoulder surgery in Melbourne after being forced out of the Ashes tour.

The left-armer complained of soreness in his shoulder after a one-day game against Middlesex last month and although initial scans did not reveal anything serious, the injury failed to ease following treatment.

He was sent home from England with Ashley Noffke taking his place in the tour party.

A statement from the Australian Cricket Board said the specialist who performed the operation had discovered minor cartilage and tendon damage.

Bracken now hopes to be fit for the start of Australia's domestic season later this year.

"Although I'd love to be playing in England with the Australian team, this is reality and I now have to knuckle down and make sure I'm at full strength for the start of the season," he commented.

Bracken played in two games on the Ashes tour, taking five wickets in the three-day tour opener at Worcester and one for 47 against Middlesex.

Australia have a busy winter ahead of them with home Tests and a triangular one-day series against New Zealand and South Africa between November and January.

They then travel to South Africa in February for the second half of their double header.