Australian middle-order batsman Adam Voges has turned down the chance to play for his country to marry his sweetheart.
The 29-year-old Voges faced one of the most difficult decisions of his sporting career when he had to choose between joining the Australian one-day team on their tour of South Africa and tying the knot.
He had already planned to get married on April 5, the day Australia play their second one-day international.
Voges, who has played just one one-day international and three Twenty20s for Australia, had chosen the wedding date long before his inclusion in the team.
He asked the national selectors panel (NSP) whether he could return home between the first and third matches for the wedding but was told that was not an option.
"Adam informed us yesterday that he was withdrawing from the tour," Australia's chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditch said in a statement.
"Obviously this is a difficult decision for Adam to make and the NSP understands the position he's in and the decision he's made.
The selectors said Marcus North, who is already in South Africa with the Test squad, has been chosen to replace Voges.
"Marcus was closely considered for original selection given his good form...," Hilditch said. "We're sure Marcus is in prime form to take this opportunity."
