Australia will be minus their entire frontline pace attack during the upcoming ODI series in England, with Josh Hazlewood joining Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins on the sidelines.
Hazlewood was a last-minute scratching on Monday night, with team medicos pulling the pin shortly before the squad’s scheduled departure for London.
The reliable right-armer is dealing with bone stress in his back that is yet to develop into a fracture at this point.
“We are taking a conservative approach and he will not travel to England for the one-day series,” team physio David Beakley said.
Queensland quick Michael Neser, who is yet to play for Australia in any format, has replaced Hazlewood in the touring party.
Neser will fly out a day later, such was the unexpected nature of his call-up.
The prospect of Hazlewood, Starc, Cummins and James Pattinson unleashing fire, brimstone and bouncers in a four-prong pace attack had selectors understandably excited last year.
The pace quartet had never been all fit at the same time, prior to 2017.
But they have since succumb to injuries of varying severity, with Starc (leg) and Cummins (back) unable to fulfil million-dollar Indian Premier League contracts after a taxing tour of South Africa.
Australia’s one-day tour of England is serving as a dress rehearsal for next year’s World Cup, which is being hosted by the UK.
Langer’s first assignment as coach is also the new-look team’s first tour since the cheating scandal derailed their trip to South Africa, ending in long bans for former leaders Steve Smith and David Warner.
The ODI series starts on June 13, while Australia’s first game is a warm-up fixture against Sussex next Thursday.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
Hazlewood is irreplaceable, but good to see Neser get an opportunity.
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
Very few of our express bowlers get much out of English tracks, even at test level. On the more batsmen friendly one day pitches, less pace could be a blessing.
jimbo
Guest
very true- depending on how poorly the squad performs over there I wouldn't be surprised if none of touring party plays in the final 11 for the world cup (besides finch and maybe Carey/Agar) Finch Warner Khawaja Smith Lynn Carey M.Marsh Agar Cummins Starc Hazelwood
Larry1950
Guest
It's just another one of those 'no purpose' filler series one day internationals that pits second eleven (or third) players against each other for the sake of broadcast requirements. While Neser has played well recently, I'd have thought picking Jack Wildermuth would have been more forward thinking.
Paul
Roar Guru
I don't know how this tour can be considered a dress rehearsal for the World Cup when 5 of Australia's best players are not touring. It's more like an opportunity for guys to strut their stuff in England and make a claim for a long term spot in the ODI squad.
Max Mayer
Roar Guru
Neser's been in red hot form in both red-ball and white-ball cricket recently, even if his overall List A career stats leave a little to be desired. He's also shown himself to be more than handy with the bat (he scored a century in a remarkable match against WA in Sydney last season) so thoroughly deserves his chance. Not yet confident enough to predict whether or not he'll succeed at the top level, but this is clearly a much better pick than the ludicrous selections of Boland and Worrall in a similar situation in 2016, where we were whitewashed 5-0 by the Proteas. Either way, it's great to see Queensland's Shield triumph reflected (even in a small way) at the national level!
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Quite frustrating considering how poor the ODI team has been, but it gives a chance for young quicks to have a go I only wish Coulter Nile was available he has been so impressive for Australia recently and would kill it in English conditions. The worst thing about not having Cummins and Starc is the lack of batting depth but Agar at least helps that cause. I like Neser but I am not 100% convinced that he is a out an out strike bowler more kind of a good bowler that can bat were as Starc and Cummins are strike bowlers that can bat and Starc gets reverse swing which is a big miss in English conditions.