Michael Neser added to Australia’s squad for South Africa ODI series
Michael Neser has been brought into the Australia squad and has a good chance to possibly feature in the upcoming ODI against South Africa.
Crickate
Australia has added pace bowler Michael Neser to their ODI squad in South Africa to bolster their pace attack for the remaining games of the series. The 33-year-old will join the team prior to the third ODI. Notably, Nathan Ellis is the team's second fast bowler, joining Aaron Hardie, an all-rounder who is also available for selection in the current series.
Speaking of Neser, the pacer's remarkable performance in county cricket in England has always put him in contention for selection. Consequently, he was with the team during this year's World Test Championship Final against India. In terms of his limited-overs experience, the pacer has participated in two ODIs for Australia. In 2018, he made his ODI debut during the England tour.
However, the visitors' injury issues include Spencer Johson suffering a hamstring injury and Cameron Green suffering a concussion in the previous ODI. During the first one-day international, Kagiso Rabada struck Green on the head with a ferocious bouncer. According to the protocol, the all-around player will miss at least eight days.
Consequently, Michael Neser has been added to Australia's squad and has a strong possibility of playing in the forthcoming ODI against South Africa. In a similar vein, Australia's selector Tony Dodemaide opined that Neser will be a tremendous asset to the team, as he will be available as an additional pacer and his extensive experience will be advantageous to the squad. Due to the fact that some players are still recuperating, Neser may be regarded for 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 are hoping to return for the India tour prior to the ODI World Cup
The second one-day international match between Australia and South Africa will be played at Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein. The unbeaten 112-run partnership between concussion replacement Marnus Labuschagne and Ashton Agar helped the team captained by Mitchell Marsh claim a 1-0 series lead in the five-game series.
Spencer Johnson, the left-arm fast bowler who replaced Mitchell Starc on Australia's ODI squad, has a minor hamstring injury. He will resume the tour, however, and then travel to India for the three-match ODI series. Pat Cummins, the regular ODI captain for Australia, is still recuperating from a wrist injury he sustained during this summer's Ashes series. Both Cummins and Starc are still recovering from groin injuries, and both are anticipated to participate in at least a portion of the three-match series in India preceding the World Cup.
