The 31-year-old, who was a key member of the Australians' victorious Ashes party last year, needs surgery on his right shoulder. Reiffel, who is touring India with Australia, told the club of his decision last week and chief executive Steve Coverdale said: ``We are actively looking for a replacement and are in discussions with several prominent players from different parts of the world.

``We have had talks with one individual in particular and we hope to make an announcement next week.''

Reiffel, who is omitted from the Australia's 12-man squad for today's second Test with India at Eden Gardens, has been suffering from shoulder and Achilles injuries and only recently recovered from a broken finger.

He has said he wants a break from first-class cricket until the Australians tour Pakistan in September.

Coverdale admitted it is unlikely that the new overseas player will be in place by the start of the season, which is four weeks away.

Northants could turn their attention to leg spinner Anil Kumble, who was such a success for them in 1995.

Reiffel's place is taken in Calcutta by Paul Wilson, a pace bowler with a Merv Hughes-style moustache. He is uncapped but has played one-day internationals this season and took two top-order wickets in the Australian's opening match of the tour against Bombay.

Reiffel apart, the 10 others who made up the Australian 11 for the first Test, which India won by 179 runs, have all been retained.

INDIA (from): *M Azharuddin, -N R Mongia, R Dravid, S R Tendulkar, S R Ganguly, H H Kanitkar, A Kumble, J Srinath, R H Shauhan, Harvinder Singh, S V Raju.

AUSTRALIA (from): *M A Taylor, M J Slater, G S Blewett, M E Waugh, S R Waugh, R T Ponting, -I A Healy, S K Warne, G R Robertson, S MacGill, M S Kasprowicz, P Wilson.

Umpires: V K Ramaswamy, B C Cooray (Sri Lanka).