AUS vs WI Pink Ball Test: Michael Nesser, Lance Morris named in Test Squad

AUS vs WI Pink Ball Test: Cricket Australia has included ace fast bowler Lance Morris & Michael Nesser to Australia’s squad for the Pink Ball Test against West Indies to be played in Adelaide. The management has decided to include the duo for the second Test against West Indies which will be a day & night affair in order to bolster their pace attack as Cummins’s availability became doubtful due to an injury he sustained during the Perth Test.

Nesser who made his Test debut in Adelaide last year against England has often featured in several Test series for Australia. He has received a call-up to the Test squad for the AUS vs WI Pink Ball Test on the back of his spectacular performances. On the other hand, the inclusion of Morris comes as a surprise element for the fans. Western Australia fast bowler who made his debut in domestic cricket in 2019-2020 when he played for the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League is yet to make a debut at the International level. Morris made his Sheffield Shield debut in the 2021 season & had a memorable campaign by fetching 20 first-class wickets at an enticing economy of 27.05. He ended Sheffield Sheild’s 2022 season as the top wicket-taker by scalping 27 wickets in five fixtures at an average of 18.40.

Nesser & Morris got a call-up to the Test Squad due to Australia’s hectic Schedule in 2023

Speaking about the inclusion of Nesser in Australia’s Test Squad National Selector Chairman George Bailey said that Nesser has been called-up to the Test squad on the back of his consistent performances. He also said that he was in astute form last summer & his presence will bolster their pace attack. Talking about Morris’s inclusion Bailey said that he has been an outstanding fast bowler who has proved his mettle in the domestic circuit. His prolific pace & capability to scalp regular wikcets would be a plus point for the Australian squad in the Pink Ball Test.

The decision to include these two fast bowlers has been made keeping in view Australia’s hectic schedule in the first half of 2023 & an effort to manage Australian players workload. Cummins’s injury makes him doubtful for the pink ball Test & just after the conclusion of the West Indies Test Series Australia will lock horns with South Africa in three-match Test series followed by the India tour & Ashes 2023. Meanwhile, Australia has another seamer in face of Scott Boland who could be added to the Playing XI for the pink ball Test if Cummins doesn’t get fit on time.

AUS vs WI Pink Ball Test: Australia Squad

Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Pat Cummins (c), Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Travis Head, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner, Michael Neser, Lance Morris