Cricket

Australia's hopes of having Michael Neser available as a backup seamer for the Adelaide or Brisbane Tests have been dashed due to a severe hamstring injury. However, there is a glimmer of hope that Jhye Richardson could be considered as an option later in the series if his return to first-class cricket progresses smoothly.Neser, 34, suffered the injury during the opening day of the Australia A match against India A at the MCG. He is expected to be sidelined until the start of the Brisbane Heat's BBL season on December 18. Even without the injury, Neser was unlikely to be selected as Australia's first-choice backup seamer for the Perth Test, with Scott Boland in line behind Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc.Barring an injury in Perth, Australia is unlikely to need Boland for Adelaide given the nine-day break between the first and second Tests. However, there is concern about the three-day turnaround between Adelaide and Brisbane, followed by a seven-day break to Boxing Day and then a three-day gap to Sydney. The quicks themselves and the team management have publicly stated that playing all five Tests without a change, as they did last year, is highly unlikely.If two of the quicks were to go down, as they did in the 2021-22 Ashes and 2022-23 summer, then Australia would need another fast bowler beyond Boland. Neser's unavailability brings the likes of Nathan McAndrew and Sean Abbott into the frame.However, there is hope that Richardson, 28, could be fit enough to be considered as he continues his careful buildback from injury and other physical issues. Richardson took 1 for 19 from five overs at the MCG on Wednesday in his fourth List A game so far this summer to go with two second XI matches. He will not play in Western Australia's upcoming Sheffield Shield game against Victoria at the Junction Oval starting on Friday.But speaking after WA's One-Day Cup loss, Richardson said he was hopeful he could play in WA's day-night Shield game against South Australia at Adelaide Oval, starting November 23, which could also be Lance Morris' first Shield game of the summer.Richardson's last Test match was a pink-ball game in Adelaide in 2021 when he took his maiden Test five-wicket haul against England. But he has endured a horror run with injuries since, including further shoulder and hamstring surgeries. On top of that, he has publicly acknowledged that a mental health battle has affected his physical conditioning.He has been bowling without interruption since his return in IPL 2024 but as a Cricket Australia contracted player, a decision was made during the off-season that his build towards a first-class return would be gradual. There was a period as late as September where it was thought he may not play any red-ball cricket before the BBL.But since then he has strung together four List A games, taking 5 for 63, 3 for 36, 0 for 25, and 1 for 19 and two four-day second XI games for WA.Richardson is still unable to throw from deep in the outfield due to the shoulder issue but he said it was manageable, while acknowledging fielding was an important part of contributing to the team.He was asked whether he thought he could handle playing back-to-back Shield games in late November and early December, before the BBL break. "I hope so," he said. "I think I could."Richardson confirmed he would go in the IPL auction but he did not have a target in mind in terms of his international return.

India A's hopes of a Test recall for KL Rahul and other candidates suffered a setback as Australia A's Michael Neser wreaked havoc on their batting lineup on the opening day of their four-day clash at the MCG.Sent in on a green, bouncy pitch, India A collapsed to 65 for 5 at lunch, with Neser claiming 4 for 16 from eight overs. The damage began in the opening over when Neser dismissed Abhimanyu Easwaran and Sai Sudharsan in consecutive deliveries.Rahul, who was hoping to impress as an opener, was caught behind for four by Scott Boland. Ruturaj Gaikwad also fell cheaply, edging Neser to second slip.Devdutt Padikkal and Dhruv Jurel steadied the innings with a 43-run partnership, but Neser broke the stand with a superb delivery that induced Padikkal to slice a catch to gully.Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney rotated his bowlers effectively, with Nathan McAndrew, Beau Webster, and Corey Rocchiccioli providing support to Neser and Boland.India A's batting woes continued after lunch, with Jurel (24*) and Sarfaraz Khan (12*) holding on amidst the carnage. However, the visitors still face an uphill battle to recover from their disastrous start.

Victoria emerged victorious in a thrilling six-run victory over Queensland at the Junction Oval, thanks to a brilliant cameo from Michael Neser and some exceptional fielding.Chasing a modest target of 241, Queensland started strongly with Usman Khawaja and Ben McDermott putting on a 90-run opening stand. However, Test offspinner Todd Murphy turned the tide with a superb spell, dismissing McDermott and Josh Brown to break the partnership.Marcus Harris then produced a stunning one-handed catch to remove Matt Renshaw, while Peter Siddle picked up two wickets in the middle overs. Murphy struck again, claiming two more scalps to swing the game in Victoria's favor.Despite the setbacks, Neser kept Queensland in the hunt with a blistering 49 from 41 balls. He launched two massive sixes in the final over to bring the Bulls within seven runs of victory. However, Jono Merlo took an excellent catch at deep square to dismiss Neser and seal the win for Victoria.Earlier, Victoria had posted a competitive 240 for 7, thanks to a vital 63 from Marcus Harris. Will Sutherland and Sam Elliott added late-order heroics with a 63-run stand off the final 35 balls.Queensland's stand-in captain Mitchell Swepson praised Neser's efforts but acknowledged that the team fell short. Victoria's win moves them to the top of the One-Day Cup table, while Queensland departs Melbourne with just two points.