Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of Australia’s World Test Championship final against India due to injuries and been replaced in the squad by Michael Neser.
But Scott Boland is all but certain to form a pace cartel with Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in the decider at The Oval.
Hazlewood looked promising in recent training sessions ahead of the final, set to start on Wednesday, but is still dealing with an Achilles injury and a side issue.
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”Josh was very, very close to being given the green light but we are cognisant that our upcoming schedule means this is not a one-off Test match of us,” said chair of selectors George Bailey.
“Michael’s county form has been strong and knowing that he was going to be close by allowed for him to keep playing and for us to be able to call on him. He is a great strength to have as part of the fast-bowling group.
“This will give Josh an ideal preparation leading into Edgbaston (the location of the first Ashes Test).
“With six Test matches in a little over seven weeks we will need all of our fast-bowling assets.”
Coach Andrew McDonald says the reality is that with five Tests against England looming, Australia cannot just focus on the World Test Championship final in regard to its management of the quicks.
“Definitely consideration for (the schedule); we don’t want to go too far ahead,” McDonald told reporters.
“We’ve got the WTC final to play, which we are excited about, but on the back of that we have to quickly turn our attention to England and the Ashes. There are short turnarounds there. That’s nothing we’re not used to.
“So, there’ll always be considerations around management … I’d say there’d be some moving parts amongst the quicks.”
Neser, who’s played two Tests, was already in England playing for Glamorgan in the county championship, in which he’s taken 19 wickets at 25.63.
Australian squad
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner
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