Injured Hazlewood out of WTC-final against India: Has taken 5 wickets against Team India four times; his place in the Naser team

Australia’s fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the World Test Championship (WTC) final to be played against India from June 7 due to injury. The WTC final will be played between Team India and Australia from June 7 at The Oval ground in London.

In place of Hazlewood, 33-year-old fast bowler Michael Neser has got a place in the Australia team. Cricket Australia has given information about this by tweeting.

Hazlewood can return from the Ashes series
Hazlewood is expected to be available for selection for the first Ashes Test to be held in Birmingham from June 16. Australia’s chief selector George Bailey said, ‘Josh was only a few steps away from full fitness but we did not want to take a risk by playing him.

Because this is not the only match we have to play in the coming days. Neser’s form has also been impressive in county cricket. It would be a good decision to sit Hazlewood out as he will have good time to get fit before the Test match before the Ashes series.

Neser has experience of only two Test matches
Neser was recently seen playing for Glamorgan in the English Country Championship. Neser took 19 wickets in five matches and even managed to score centuries against Sussex and Australian teammate Steve Smith.

Neser made his Test debut against England in Adelaide in December 2021 and played his last Test match against the West Indies in December last year. Neser has played only 2 Tests and 2 ODIs in his career so far. He has taken 7 wickets in Tests and 2 wickets in ODIs.

Australian team for WTC final: 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 and David Warner.