Michael Neser 'Replaces' Josh Hazlewood in Australia's WTC Squad


image-lihcb422Neser replaces Hazlewood

Michael Neser has replaced the injured Josh Hazlewood in the Australian squad for the WTC final, scheduled to begin from June 7.

Hazlewood failed to recover from the left Achilles issue, as well as a side strain which troubled him during the recently concluded Indian Premier League.

His absence means Scott Boland is in line to replace him in Australia’s playing XI against India. Boland has done well in the limited opportunities that he has received and is set to pip Neser in the playing XI for the WTC final.

Hazlewood has been consistently troubled by the Achilles injury for the past few months. The speedster missed Australia’s majority of the home summer, and also missed the all-important Border-Gavaskar series in February-March earlier this year.

He arrived late for the IPL, and only played a handful of games for RCB as he flew back home due to the recurrence of his injury.


“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," Chair of Selectors George Bailey said.

Neser was not named in Australia’s original 17-member squad for the WTC final, but has been training with the squad for the last few days. The Queensland pacer has already played two Test matches.

Neser, has the experience of playing for Glamorgan County in UK, and has picked up 19 wickets at an average of 25.63 for them.