Hours after winning the opening Test against West Indies by 164 runs in Perth, Cricket Australia (CA) have made some changes in their squad. Concerning Pat Cummins‘ injury in the two-match series opener and keeping the back-to-back Test matches coming up later this month in mind, the selectors have decided to boost the pace unit by adding fast bowlers Lance Morris and Michael Neser to Australia’s squad.
While Neser has been around in the Test squad for a while and even played his debut game in Adelaide last year against England, Morris is relatively new in the scene. Though five years ago, during a tour game against England at the WACA, Morris gained limelight when he bowled a wayward short delivery to Joe Root but couldn’t continue impressing the selectors afterwards. Coming back to the present times, Morris has had an outstanding Sheffield Shield season, where he is the leading wicket-taker with 27 scalps.
“Michael (Neser) has been with the squad on a regular basis in past seasons and was simply outstanding in Adelaide last summer. 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,” said selection chair George Bailey in a statement.
Notably, Cummins did not bowl in the final innings of Australia’s win in the first Test in Perth following a minor quad strain. Senior batter Steve Smith captained the side while Cummins was absent for the first 36 overs of the fourth innings and will lead the side again in Adelaide if Cummins doesn’t get to play.
Australia squad for Adelaide Test (Updated):
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.