IND vs AUS: Blow to Australia as Pace Candidate Suffers Injury Just Weeks Ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy

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Australia recieved a blow just weeks before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as potential pace candidate Michael Neser picked up a recurring injury after starring with the ball for Australia A against India A in Melbourne.

The 34-year-old wreaked havoc against the India A team on Thursday (November 7), but sustained a hamstring injury on the back of his fiery new ball spell at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Neser clinched the wickets of four of the touring side's top-five batters but limped off the field after picking up the said injury while bowling his 13th over of the innings. He played no further part in the match and was also ruled out of bowling from the ongoing tour match.

Coincidentally, Neser had pulled the same hamstring while playing for Queensland in the Domestic One-Day Cup last month. So, those are worrying signs for the South African-born pacer.

Having played in two Tests for the senior team, Neser has been a household name in Australian cricket. With over 107 appearances in first-class cricket, he holds 374 wickets to his name, at an average of 24.18.

Bowling at the MCG on Thursday (November 7), the right-arm quick dismissed India's new Test squad entrant Abhimanyu Easwaran, and Sai Sudharsan in the first over of the match.

Neser then also went on to remove India A captain Ruturaj Gaikwad as well as Devdutt Padikkal as the visitors were bundled out for 161 with Dhruv Jurel playing a lone hand of 80 before the Australian A team were reduced to 53/2 at stumps on day one.

Australia, who are yet to name their squad for the IND vs AUS five-Test series beginning later this month, would be hoping for the pacer's swift recovery ahead of the big ICC World Test Championship series against India.

Neser would have been on top of the queue to join the pace attack in the squad led by Pat Cummins. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Scott Boland are expected to be the other pacers that will be called up to the Australia Test side to face India.