Australia seamer Josh Hazlewood was ruled out of the ICC World Test Championship FInal against India due to an injury on Sunday.
Australia named all-rounder Michael Neser as Hazlewood’s replacement for the final which begins at the Oval in London on Wednesday, after the 32-year-old continued to suffer from an Achilles and side issue.
The right-arm seamer had also curtailed his Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 stint with the Royal Challengers Bangalore due to the injury before flying back to Australia for treatment.
The 33-year-old Neser has featured in two Tests and as many ODIs for Australia so far. He has been in fine form recently for Glamorgan in the English Country Championship, picking up 19 wickets from five matches while also scoring a century against Sussex and Australian teammate Steve Smith during a recent Division Two contest.
Neser could come in contention with Scott Boland as Australia’s third-choice seamer for the final. Boland has played just seven Tests for his country but has claimed 28 wickets at a staggering average of 13.42.
Meanwhile, Australia expects Hazlewood to return for the upcoming Ashes series, due to begin in Birmingham on June 16.
Updated Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner
Standby players: Mitch Marsh, Matthew Renshaw
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