Australia A pacer Michael Neser ruled out of ongoing India A game after taking 4 wickets
Australia A speedster Michael Neser will not take further part in the ongoing four-day fixture against India A in MCG, as per ESPNCricinfo. He has injured his left hamstring and will undergo scans to determine the severity of the blow.
On the first day (Thursday) of the game, Neser was sensational to put India A under incessant pressure. He got rid of Abhimanyu Easwaran (0) and Sai Sudharsan (0) with short-pitched deliveries in consecutive balls.
After Scott Boland dismissed KL Rahul (4), Neser continued his strong showing to send Ruturaj Gaikwad (4) packing. As a result, the visitors were left reeling at 11/4.
Then, Dhruv Jurel and Devdutt Padikkal built a solid partnership to bring India back into the game. However, Neser broke their 43-run stand by dismissing Padikkal (26).
But, Neser pulled up during his delivery stride and limped off the ground in his 13th over. The 34-year-old immediately left the field and Cricket Australia spokesperson later confirmed to ESPNCricinfo that he would no longer bowl in the game.
Meanwhile, India A went on to post a respectable total of 161, riding on Jurel's gritty knock of 80 off 186. Neser (4/27) was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, followed by Boland (3/19).
At the end of Day 1, Australia A were at 53/2, with Marcus Harris (26*) and Sam Konstas (1*) at the crease.
Michael Neser sustained a similar injury in Sheffield Shield 2024/25
The veteran pacer complained of soreness in the left hamstring during his last Sheffield Shield game for Queensland against South Australia on October 23. The injury saw Michael Neser getting ruled out of the One-Day Cup game against South Australia, which took place two days later.
Neser then returned to train with the Australia A team for this series, without a proper recovery. The outfield at MCG has also been credited to fast bowlers having trouble due to excessive sand following the Australian Football League season.
Mitchell Starc also sustained cramps on multiple occasions in the venue over the past two weeks. During his period, he played a Shield game and an ODI game against Pakistan in MCG.
The injury is a major blow to Michael Neser, who was expected to be a backup pacer for Australia in the Border Gavaskar Trophy. In his absence, Scott Boland could be in line for being a contender, if there is any injury concern to the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Starc.