Gough has accepted defeat in his bid to return from a long-standing knee injury which has already required surgery three times.

The Yorkshireman faces three months out of the game and confirmed: "I'm going to go home and work hard on continually strengthening my knee.

"Obviously this is another setback, and it's going to be a huge disappointment to miss the Ashes and the World Cup.

"But I want to explore all the medical options that are open to me before I make any decisions about my future career."

The Yorkshire fast bowler has broken down four times in his attempts to recover from the injury sustained during a one-day international against New Zealand in Dunedin last February.

The latest blow throws serious doubts over his playing future.

Gough is due to see a specialist as soon as he returns to England and will then have the injury re-assessed in 12 weeks before making any further decisions.

He will be replaced in the England squad by Surrey's Alex Tudor, who had been acting as cover, having been called up from England's Academy base in Adelaide ever since Gough suffered a setback in Brisbane just over a week ago.