Ashley Giles is returning from England's Ashes tour of Australia to be with his wife, Stine, who has been diagnosed as suffering a brain tumour.
The Warwickshire left-arm spinner will be replaced in the squad by Middlesex off-spinner Jamie Dalrymple, already in Australia with the Academy squad.
England coach Duncan Fletcher said: "This is very distressing news.
"The thoughts of all the players and management are with Ashley and Stine at such a difficult time."
Fletcher went on: "It is typical of Ashley that he has dealt with this in such a professional manner, and we wish Stine a speedy recovery.
"There is no chance of Ashley coming back to join us at this stage."
Giles, an experienced left-arm spinner, was dropped for the third Test and replaced by Monty Panesar.