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A major blow for the Australia National Cricket Team as one of their key pacers has been ruled out of their upcoming Test match against Bangladesh. Cricket Australia (CA), on August 5, informed that their fast bowler Michael Neser will not be able to take part in the match against Bangladesh as he picked up a calf injury while training with the Test squad in Brisbane.
The absence of Neser is considered a major blow to the team, as the team will now lack depth in their pace bowling department. CA confirmed that because of the injury, the 36-year-old missed selection for a 13-player squad for the Series opener against Bangladesh in Darwin.
Australia's fast bowling stocks have taken a hit ahead of next week's NRMA Insurance Test Series against Bangladesh: https://t.co/3fqinq29Bi pic.twitter.com/4ay9ABUD71
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) August 5, 2026
Why is the injury of Michael Neser a major blow for Australia?
Michael Neser was named in the squad for the match against Bangladesh after a strong display against England, taking 15 wickets at 19.93 in three Tests, with high expectations around him. CA is yet to announce the replacement for the seamer.
Neser played a pivotal role in the previous edition of the Ashes, against their arch-rival England, when he claimed 15 wickets in three matches in the absence of the premier bowlers like Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. He started the series against England, taking 6 wickets in Brisbane, followed by 4 and 5 wickets figure in Melbourne and Sydney, respectively.
Michael Neser was in good form ahead of the series against Bangladesh
Ahead of the Tests against Bangladesh, Michael Neser was in good form in domestic cricket for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield. Before joining the national camp, the fast bowler bagged 6 wickets against Tasmania in Hobert.
The Australia cricket team needs depth in their overall squad as they are scheduled to feature in at least 20 Tests. Neser, who bowls around 140 kmph, is included in the squad to increase the depth in their pace bowling unit.
Along with his precise bowling, he is among those fast bowlers who have remained injury-free in most of his professional cricket career. Before his latest calf muscle injury, Michael Neser was last reported injured in November 2024 while bowling for Australia A in the lead-up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He had a hamstring issue then.
Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood are set to return after injury lay-offs
However, without Neser in the team, the Aussie pace pack is looking strong enough to compete against Bangladesh for the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. Pat Cummins will lead the team with a returning Josh Hazlewood. Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, and Beau Webster are also with the team to bolster the bowling attack.
Before the first Test against Bangladesh, which will start on August 13, the Australian team management will have to fix their pace bowling combination.
Australia squad after the injury to Michael Neser:
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
