Michael Neser ruled out of Bangladesh Tests with calf strain
Neser suffers calf strain in training and will miss the Bangladesh Tests but remains hopeful of selection for South Africa tour.
Australian pacer Michael Neser suffered a right calf strain while training and will miss the home Test series against Bangladesh starting next Thursday. The 36-year-old was not part of the squad for the two-Test series due to the return of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood after lengthy injury lay-offs.
Neser was in full training mode as a standby for the Bangladesh series in case of injury concerns for the pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Cummins and Hazlewood. He now faces a month-long rehabilitation before rebuilding his bowling workload ahead of Australia's tour of South Africa in October.
Neser took 22 wickets at an average of 18.90 in five Tests and was a standout performer during Australia's home Ashes series earlier this year with 15 wickets at 19.93, including a maiden five-wicket haul at Brisbane. Wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis suffered back spasms during centre-wicket practice but is expected to be fit for the first Test.
CricHubb Take
Australia's selectors now have only four fit quicks for the Bangladesh series, making the toss-up between Hazlewood and Scott Boland for the final pacer spot even more consequential.