WTC final: Michael Neser in contention to represent Australia in summit clash as Josh Hazlewood in race against time to gain fitness

Pace bowling all-rounder Michael Neser could make his way into the Australian squad for the upcoming World Test Championship final against India, which is scheduled to be played from June 7. Despite having their bowlers available for the game, Neser could make his way into the squad due to Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh facing tight timeframes to recover on time.

Hazlewood and Marsh both played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, despite their injuries being minor niggles. However, despite both players being available for the Ashes series, their availability for the WTC final is still in question, which could see Neser book a spot in the playing XI. 

The final squad will be sealed by Sunday, May 28 when the 15-player squad will be submitted under the ICC (International Cricket Council) rules for the final. Recently, Cricket Australia also confirmed that the scans done on Hazlewood showed no damage. However, with the pacer having played very few Tests in recent months, there is always the risk of pushing him too soon.

It will have to go perfect for him to be part of that World Test Championship final: Andrew McDonald

Furthermore, Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, spoke about Hazlewood’s situation. The 41-year-old opined that things would have to go perfectly for Hazlewood if he was to make his way into the playing XI for the WTC final. 

"We knew when he went to the IPL that everything would have to go perfectly on the back of the Achilles setback in India, and at this stage everything is good, but it will have to go perfectly for him to be part of that World Test Championship final and available," Andrew McDonald told SEN Radio. 

"We feel it's almost like a home summer. We usually pick four quicks, travel around, and add players when we need. We've got Michael and Sean [Abbott] over there and feel they can be added in at any time depending on whether new information comes to us," he added.