ADELAIDE: Injured tempo spearhead Josh Hazlewood on Monday was dominated out of Australia‘s opening Test towards South Africa in Brisbane this week, however skipper Pat Cummins “appears likely” to play.
Hazlewood, who has a aspect pressure and missed the just-completed second Test towards the West Indies in Adelaide, was the one omission in a 14-man squad.
But Cummins is about to return after additionally sitting out the 419-run win in Adelaide with a thigh drawback.
That means both Scott Boland or Michael Neser will miss out regardless of each impressing of their returns to the Test enviornment towards the Caribbean aspect.
Uncapped speedster Lance Morris stays within the 14-man squad as a wildcard choice.
“Pat continues to improve, bowled with freedom on Saturday and appears likely to play this match, although Josh will need more time,” mentioned chief selector 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,” he added.
“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.”
Australia head into the primary of three Tests towards the Proteas from Friday in red-hot type, having crushed the West Indies by 164 runs then 419 runs.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (capt), 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
Hazlewood, who has a aspect pressure and missed the just-completed second Test towards the West Indies in Adelaide, was the one omission in a 14-man squad.
But Cummins is about to return after additionally sitting out the 419-run win in Adelaide with a thigh drawback.
That means both Scott Boland or Michael Neser will miss out regardless of each impressing of their returns to the Test enviornment towards the Caribbean aspect.
Uncapped speedster Lance Morris stays within the 14-man squad as a wildcard choice.
“Pat continues to improve, bowled with freedom on Saturday and appears likely to play this match, although Josh will need more time,” mentioned chief selector 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,” he added.
“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.”
Australia head into the primary of three Tests towards the Proteas from Friday in red-hot type, having crushed the West Indies by 164 runs then 419 runs.
Australia squad: Pat Cummins (capt), 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