AUS vs SA: Boxing Day Test: A disappointing setback for the Australian paceman, Josh Hazlewood will be unable to play in the opening Test match against South Africa at the Gabba. After sustaining a minor left side strain prior to the pink-ball match, the 31-year-old was forced to miss the Adelaide Test against the West Indies, paving the way for Michael Neser’s much-anticipated comeback to the playing XI. Follow South Africa Tour of Australia LIVE updates with InsideSport.IN
AUS vs SA: Australia squad for 1st Test vs SA at Gabba announced, Josh Hazlewood out due to injury; Pat Cummins expected to be fit by the series opener: Follow Live Updates
After missing the 419-run victory over the Windies due to a quad injury, Pat Cummins is expected to make his way back into the playing XI. During the day-and-night Test, the captain returned to bowling at a three-quarter intensity, and on Monday morning, he was prepared to roll the arm over once again.
After both making strong impressions in their Test debuts against the Windies, Scott Boland and Michael Neser appear to be competing for the final bowling position in Brisbane as a result of his return. Uncapped speedster Lance Morris, who leads the Marsh Sheffield Shield in wickets and has a top speed of 150 kph, is nevertheless included in the 14-man roster as a wildcard option.
“Pat continues to improve, bowled with freedom on Saturday and appears likely to play this match although Josh will need more time,” said selection chief George Bailey. “With that in mind we have retained Michael Neser and Lance Morris in the squad for this match.
“Michael bowled superbly in Adelaide, as did Scott. We were impressed as always with their performances that backed up what they have achieved in the past. Lance is a very exciting prospect who will benefit from time with the squad.
“With so much cricket ahead, we continue to seek opportunities to grow and maintain our fast-bowling experience and depth.”
Boland is well-positioned to maintain his position after replicating his Ashes performance from last year in Adelaide by capturing three wickets in an electrifying over under lights on Saturday. In the hierarchy of importance, the Victorian commenced the summer before Neser.
Neser, though, also played flawlessly in the pink-ball match, taking five wickets overall and benefiting from playing on his home field of the Gabba. Both Boland and Neser have impressive Sheffield Shield records in Brisbane despite never having played a Test match there. Boland has 27 wickets at an average of 16.70 from five games, while Neser has 77 victims at an average of 19.46 from 18 games.
“They’re all different in the way they go about it,” said Steve Smith in Adelaide. “Boland and Neser are a bit more skiddy and probably bring the stumps into play a bit more than ‘Cummo’ (Cummins) and ‘Hoff’ (Hazlewood), so it’s nice to have different bowlers coming at you all the time.
“It feels like we’ve got some good stocks. Lance Morris has been in the squad, most of the guys aren’t too keen on facing him in the nets – we’ll get that opportunity at the Gabba on some faster wickets at training. “We’ve got plenty of options in our cartel at the moment to pick them for those circumstances.”
Hazlewood, on the other hand, will be fervently hoping that his injury does not ruin his summer the way it did his previous home Test season when he injured his left side in the first Test against England and was forced to miss the following four Ashes games. Only two of Australia’s last 10 Tests have included the right-armer, who will be looking to prove his fitness for the Proteas Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.
Australian squad for Gabba Test
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Lance Morris, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner
AUS vs SA Test Series: Schedule
| Date and Time | Match Details |
|---|---|
| Sat, Dec 17 – Wed, Dec 21
12:20 AM GMT | 10:20 PM LOCAL
|
Australia vs South Africa, 1st Test The Gabba, Brisbane |
| Mon, Dec 26 – Fri, Dec 30
12:30 AM GMT | 10:30 PM LOCAL
|
Australia vs South Africa, 2nd Test Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| Wed, Jan 04 – Sun, Jan 08
12:30 AM GMT | 10:30 PM LOCAL
|
Australia vs South Africa, 3rd Test Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |
AUS vs SA: Australia squad for 1st Test vs SA at Gabba announced, Josh Hazlewood out due to injury; Pat Cummins expected to be fit by the series opener: Follow Live Updates
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