Australia pacer Michael Neser ruled out of Pakistan tour due to injury, Mark Steketee added to squad
India Today
Queensland fast bowler Mark Steketee has been added to the Australian squad as a replacement for injured Michael Neser for the upcoming tour of Pakistan.
Australia fast bowler Michael Neser has been ruled out of next month's tour of Pakistan after his domestic team Queensland said that the 31-year-old had suffered a side strain, with no date set for his return.
Australia added uncapped pacer Mark Steketee as Neser's replacement for the upcoming tour of Pakistan. Steketee earned his call-up as the Sheffield Shield's leading wicket-taker this season, with 29 wickets at 16.31.
Queensland said Neser picked up the injury in their Marsh One-Day Cup loss to New South Wales on Monday and underwent scans late on Tuesday.
"It's bad luck for Michael and we're hoping he makes a speedy recovery," Queensland coach Wade Seccombe said.
Neser, who earned his first Test cap during the Ashes, was included in Australia's squad for the three-Test series against Pakistan which is due to start on March 4 in Rawalpindi.
Australia and Pakistan are also scheduled to play three one-day internationals and one Twenty20 match. Australia's squad for those encounters will be announced separately.
The Australians will be playing in Pakistan for the first time in almost 25 years and the series will be the Test side's first overseas tour since facing England in the 2019 Ashes.
