All-rounder Shane Watson will miss at least the one-day component of the Australian cricket tour to New Zealand because of a muscle tear in his side.

Watson suffered the injury during his fourth over in Sunday night's series-clinching victory over Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Darren Lehman had to complete the over for him and Watson took no further part in the game.

"I knew straight away. I could feel it go," Watson told reporters on Monday.

"I was just hoping it wasn't too bad. It's only a muscle. They repair a bit quicker than bone so hopefully it won't be that long (out of the game)."

Australian team physiotherapist Errol Alcott said Watson would be out of cricket for at least four weeks.

"Diagnostic tests showed a tear in his side muscle and as such we felt it was in his best interests to rule Shane out of the one-day component of the tour to New Zealand," Alcott said.

"We will review him over the next four weeks and monitor his progress."

Queenslander Watson, 23, has been a regular member of the Australian one-day side this season, and made his Test debut against Pakistan in the New Year Test in Sydney.

He forced his way into the Test side at Lehmann's expense, and ironically his injury may now help extend Lehmann's international career.

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