Michael Neser’s side strain has seen Queensland teammate Mark Steketee called up for Australia’s Test tour of Pakistan.
Neser, who made his Test debut against England in Adelaide this summer, suffered the injury while bowling during Monday’s Marsh Cup match against NSW at the Gabba.
He reportedly injured himself in the warm-up between innings, managing only two deliveries with the new ball before limping from the field.
“It’s bad luck for Michael and we’re hoping he makes a speedy recovery,” Bulls coach Wade Seccombe told cricket.com.au.
While a blow to the 31-year old’s chances of adding to his solitary cap, Steketee’s inclusion has him in line for his own baggy green, having been named in the squad for Australia’s aborted tour of South Africa 12 months ago.
Steketee, 28, has enjoyed a landmark summer in the Sheffield Shield, claiming 29 wickets at an average of 16.31, including a five-wicket haul against the Blues only last week.
Named in an Australia A XI against the England Lions in November last year, the Queenslander has moved to the fringes of the Test set-up in recent years.
However, he remains only an outside chance of receiving a baggy green cap on the tour, with Australia naming a battalion of fast bowlers including established stars Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood as well as Ashes hero Scott Boland.
Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson, another Queenslander, could also be named alongside Nathan Lyon should conditions suit.
Steketee will play one further Sheffield Shield match, against Victoria at the Junction Oval starting on Friday, before joining the Test squad as they depart.
Mark Steketee celebrates after taking five wickets during day two of the Sheffield Shield match between Queensland and New South Wales. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Concerns over COVID-19 and the uncertainty of conditions in Pakistan have seen Australia name an 18-man squad, with further cautious measures taken after Neser’s injury blow.
NSW quick Sean Abbott and South Australian paceman Brendan Doggett – who started his first-class career in Queensland as well before heading to the Redbacks for further opportunities – have been placed on standby should more misfortune strike. However, Abbott is only just returning from a side strain of his own.
In better news on the injury front, Steve Smith is expected to travel to Pakistan despite suffering a concussion in Australia’s thrilling second T20I victory over Sri Lanka on Sunday evening.
The first Test of the series is set to begin in Karachi on March 4.
>>Head here for Australia’s full Test schedule for the tour of Pakistan
Redcap
Roar Guru
The poor old Saffers are up the famous creek without any means of propulsion.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Henry have the game of his life- 58* batting XI to go with his bagful of poles
dab
Roar Rookie
Should be a great series. I suspect the coin toss will also be a decisive factor.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Steks gets the Net bowling duties..... He's not chance of getting anywhere near playing a Test match. Not sure it would be my number 1 Dream of being a Touring member of The Australian Cricket Team. Net well Steks
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Sounds like a woman. Plays in a different competition. Ric would have beaten her one on one.
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Luciana Paula Aymar, 8 times FIH player of the year?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Sure is! I thought is might have been something weird. Clarky and Hughesy! Our paths crossed in junior rep cricket. The paths diverged after that. That team included 3 league footballers and the greatest hockey player the world has ever seen (voted by international hockey players).
Clear as mud
Guest
76-7 WA - Gillette Cup squad. bewdiful!
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
?
Clear as mud
Guest
https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/gillette-cup-champions-the-west-australian/bgHWx6tMJpI3eQ?ms=%7B%22x%22%3A0.5%2C%22y%22%3A0.5%2C%22z%22%3A8.912484612081741%2C%22size%22%3A%7B%22width%22%3A2.3844471055552323%2C%22height%22%3A1.2375000000000005%7D%7D
Clear as mud
Guest
they are very good. so I hope Cummins and McDonald have us playing the same assertive cricket we played here. let Head and Khawaja and Green play their shots. I would even consider opening with Carey so Ussie can go back to 5. he can take the shine off at least, and seems a bit lost in that lower middle role. the great thing about scorig quickly enough is that even if we only make 300, we will be bowling while there is still life in the wicket. a slow 350 might hand Pakistan the very best of the picth, and set us up for a survival fight on the last day (like Ranchi 2017)
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Thank goodness for Bailey & Dodemaide bringing sanity back for other states to eventually represent Australia rather than you know what :laughing:
jameswm
Roar Guru
What a shame - otherwise he would be a fantastic option to play in the tests for us...
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
I recall NSW captain John Benaud recalling a WA batsman (not batter) who had been given out caught & there was doubt as to whether the ball carried. Game played in a better spirit back then.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Yeah, maybe it's a combination of C-19 and it being a Thursday. Dunno - it's seems a nice place to watch cricket.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
They’re doing well for a country where no one seems very interested. About 500 spectators at the ground.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Fair enough, but why is he in the T20 squad, I wonder.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
A bit dramatic but the wayward left arm bowler gets away with blue murd er & when he’s bowling like a spoilt brat & not taking wickets he tends to look disinterested & that irks my inners to the core! A great example was Sydney test against the Poms :sick:
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Exactly
Redcap
Roar Guru
Meanwhile, I'd only just got around to turning on the test match at Christchurch and Sth Africa's already been bundled out by the Kiwis. Matt Henry with 7-23.