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Morris handed shock Australia Test call-up alongside Neser as Cummins cover
Written by Sports Desk. Posted in ICC Test Championship. | 04 December 2022 | 516 Views
Tags: Cricket, Australia, Michael Neser, Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, West Indies

Australia have handed a shock call-up to uncapped WA speedster Lance Morris for the day-night second Test against the West Indies in Adelaide starting Thursday.

Morris, along with Queensland fast bowler Michael Neser, have been drafted into the 15-man Australia squad with doubts lingering over skipper Pat Cummins' availability due to a quad injury.

Cummins did not bowl in the second innings of Australia's 164-run win over the West Indies, which concluded on Sunday in Perth, but did spend time in the field and indicated he was hopeful of playing in Adelaide.

Victorian fast bowler Scott Boland, who was in Australia's initial 13-man squad, is Cummins' likely replacement should he not prove his fitness, with Morris and Neser coming in as cover.

Morris, 24, is a Test bolter, having enjoyed an excellent 2022-23 Sheffield Shield season for WA, taking a competition-high 27 wickets in five matches.

Neser, who made his Test debut against England in Adelaide last year, has taken 24 wickets in five Shield matches for Queensland.

"Michael has been with the squad on a regular basis in past seasons and was simply outstanding in Adelaide last summer," Australia selection chair George Bailey said. "He has continued to perform incredibly consistently since and will be warmly welcomed back.

"Lance is another of the outstanding young fast bowlers coming through the ranks. He has genuine pace and his ability to create opportunities for wickets is a real drawcard. It will be great experience for him to come into the environment."