Neser replaces Hazlewood in Australia’s WTC last squad
Josh Hazlewood has misplaced his race to be match for Australia’s World Test Championship last towards India. He has been changed within the squad by Michael Neser. This makes Scott Boland a favorite to make the XI for the match, which begins on June 7 at The Oval.
Hazlewood, who picked up aspect soreness on the IPL, stays in Australia’s squad for the Ashes, although, with chief selector George Bailey saying he stays in competition for the primary of these Tests, in Edgbaston on June 16.
“Josh was very, very close to being given the green light but we are cognisant that our upcoming schedule [the WTC final quickly followed by five Ashes Tests] means this is not a one-off Test match of us.
“This will give Josh a super preparation main into Edgbaston. With six Test matches in a bit over seven weeks we are going to want all of our quick bowling property.”
Neser comes in on the back of a stint with Glamorgan on the county cricket circuit. Given the uncertainty over Hazlewood, Neser, along with Sean Abbott, had been pulled out of county duty to train with the Australian squad in Beckenham. “Michael’s county kind has been sturdy and figuring out that he was going to be shut by allowed for him to maintain taking part in and for us to have the ability to name on him,” Bailey said. “He is a superb energy to have as a part of the fast-bowling group.”
Hazlewood had been withdrawn from the IPL after three games for Royal Challengers Bangalore, and at the time the decision was considered to be a precautionary measure, with scans clearing him of any damage to his side. The precautions were due to his recent run of injury, including two side strains over the past two years and an Achilles issue. This has all meant that he has only played four of Australia’s last 19 Test matches and has not played in back-to-back first-class games since early 2021.
He was picked for the WTC final subject to proving his fitness with heavy training loads leading up to the game, and as recently as May 31 he was still very hopeful of making it. Sunday’s announcement came after Hazlewood bowled three spells at training on Saturday.
As for the opposite specialist quicks in Australia’s WTC squad, captain Pat Cummins is again after lacking Australia’s earlier two Tests, in India, because of household causes, and Mitchell Starc is absolutely match having missed the primary two video games of that India collection with a finger harm.