Australian pace bowler Michael Neser won't be on the flight to Pakistan for the three-match Test series, starting March 4 in Rawalpindi, after the 31-year-old suffered a side strain, with no date set for his return to action.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
A report in cricket.com.au on Wednesday said that the fast bowler, who played an Ashes Test recently, "has been all-but ruled out of Australia's tour of Pakistan".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With the opening Test only a fortnight away and the team set to leave for the subcontinent soon, leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson will "play an extra round of Shield cricket" to prepare him better for the gruelling three-Test series.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The report said that Neser suffered the injury while warming up to bowl during Queensland's Marsh One-Day Cup match against New South Wales at The Gabba in Brisbane earlier this week. He tried to bowl a couple more deliveries following the setback but had to leave the field in pain.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Wade Seccombe, the Queensland coach, said Neser had scans late on Tuesday "and the state will now work with Cricket Australia's (CA) medical staff to map out a plan for the 31-year-old".<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"It's bad luck for Michael and we're hoping he makes a speedy recovery," Seccombe said on Wednesday. Mark Steketee, also from Queenslander, could be a likely replacement if Neser is ruled out of the Test squad, although CA will wait some more time to take a call on the changes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 28-year-old Steketee was in the Australia squad for the Test tour of South Africa, which got cancelled in early 2021. He is currently the Sheffield Shield's leading wicket-taker this season with 29 scalps at 16.31 from five games, according to the report.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Australia will have just over 10 days between the fifth and final T20I against Sri Lanka and the Test in Rawalpindi to take a call on Neser.<\/p>\r\n\r\n