With Pat Cummins sustaining a thigh strain, the Australian Cricket Board has added Lance Morris and Michael Neser as backup pace options for the second NRMA Insurance Test against West Indies in Adelaide.
Australia captain Cummins is under an injury cloud after not bowling on the fifth day in the victory over West Indies in Perth owing to a thigh strain. Hence, both the new additions to the national squad are a precautionary measure because of the hectic schedule of the Australian squad.
“Michael (Neser) has been with the squad on a regular basis in past seasons and was simply outstanding in Adelaide last summer,” said selection chairman George Bailey. “He has continued to perform incredibly consistently since and will be warmly welcomed back.
“Lance is another of the outstanding young fast bowlers coming through the ranks. He has genuine pace, and his ability to create opportunities for wickets is a real drawcard. It will be a great experience for him to come into the environment”, he further added.
Morris, who earned his first call-up to the national squad, has collected 27 wickets in five matches for Western Australia this Marsh Sheffield Shield season to top the wicket-takers tally, with his victims coming at an average of 18.40 and a strike rate of 33.1.
Australia’s revised squad for the Adelaide Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Michael Neser, Lance Morris.
