Nathan McSweeney’s failure to see out the new ball in his first try as an opener has left the door ajar for Marcus Harris to launch an unlikely late charge for a Test berth.
Just when chief selector George Bailey and his panel think they have their man, they are made to think again.
But Australia are down a fast bowler for the start of the Border-Gavaskar series, losing perennial squad member Michael Neser to a left hamstring strain in the final session, just hours after he routed India A’s top order with the new ball.Though McSweeney looked the better of the two Test aspirants in the time they were out in the middle together, the manner in which he got out for 14 will have selectors at least wincing.
The luckless Neser will not bowl again this game, and is facing at least several weeks on the sidelines after pulling up short in his 13th over. Neser had missed Queensland’s last Shield game after complaining of hamstring tightness about two weeks ago. His setback paves the way for Scott Boland to be named unchallenged as the back-up quick for the first Test.
Such a scenario would not normally be of immediate concern for a touring team, but India’s batting is in disarray and reinforcements will be needed unless they can snap their poor run.Of the three India A players in the main touring party, only wicketkeeper Dhruv Jurel fired, impressing with a composed 80 on a lively first-day track.
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