Michael Neser, Australia pacer, has been added to the ODI squad in South Africa to strengthen their pace attack for the remaining games of the series. The 33-year-old will be joining the squad before the third ODI game. Notably, Nathan Ellis is the team’s other specialized fast bowler along with all-rounder, Aaron Hardie, who is also available for selection for the ongoing series.
Speaking of Neser, the pacer has always knocked on the selection doors with his impressive run in county cricket in England. Hence, he was earlier with the team even during the World Test Championship Final against India earlier this year. Speaking of his limited-overs experience, the pacer has played two ODIs for Australia so far. He made his ODI debut back in 2018 during the England tour.
But given the injury woes, the visitors are going through in the form of Spencer Johson sustaining a hamstring injury, while all rounder Cameron Green who suffered a concussion in the last ODI played. Green had git hit on the helmet by a fiery bouncer by the Protea pacer Kagiso Rabada during the first ODI. The all-rounder will be out for at least eight days, according to the protocol.
Consequently, Michael Neser has been brought into the Australia squad and has a good chance to possibly feature in the upcoming ODI against South Africa. In the same vein, the Australia selector Tony Dodemaide opined that Neser will be a great asset for the team as he will be available as another pacer given his vast experience could benefit the team. With some players still recovering, Neser may be considered to play in the remainder of the series.
“He (Neser) is an experienced all-format cricketer who will provide us with an extra fast bowling option should that be required for the remainder of the tour,” Dodemaide was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.
Several key injured Australian players eyeing comeback for India tour ahead of ODI World Cup
The second ODI between Australia and South Africa will take place at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. The Mitchell Marsh-led team had already taken a 1-0 series lead in the five-game series, courtesy of the unbeaten 112-run partnership between concussion substitute Marnus Labuschagne and Ashton Agar for the eighth wicket.
The left-arm fast bowler Spencer Johnson who was added to Australia‘s ODI team as a replacement for Mitchell Starc, has a slight hamstring injury. He will, however, continue on the tour and then head to India for the three-match ODI series. Pat Cummins, Australia’s regular ODI captain, is still recovering from a wrist injury he sustained during the Ashes series this summer. Both Cummins and Starc are still recovering from a groin injury, and both are expected to play in at least some of the three-match series in India that precedes the World Cup.
Australia have been dealing with major blows, including Steven Smith’s wrist and Glenn Maxwell’s ankle injuries. Moreover, Maxwell had always set to miss the ODIs in South Africa due to the birth of his first kid.