Australia call-up Mark Steketee as Michael Neser replacement for the historic Pakistan Test series

Australia’s uncapped fast bowler Mark Steketee has been included in the Australian team’s squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Pakistan as a replacement for the injured Michael Neser.

The mighty Australian cricket is set to visit Pakistan for the upcoming historic Test series against the Pakistan in Pakistan. That will after 24 years that Australia is visiting Pakistan for away series.

But going into the series, the Cricket Australia (CA) has been forced to make substitution into the already announced squad as Michael Neser suffered a injury before the commencement of the series.

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The uncapped Queensland pacer Mark Steketee has now been called-up into the squad as a replacement Neser.

On the other hand, another uncapped fast bowler Brendon Doggett and uncapped all-rounder Sean Abbott will be kept with the team as standby players for the Test series, announced the Cricket Australia.

Neser suffered a hamstring strain in Queensland’s Marsh One-Day Cup match against New South Wales on Monday, which led to him being ruled out of the Pakistan tour.

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Uncapped Steketee was part of Australia’s expanded squad for the 2021 tour of South Africa, although the tour was later cancelled. Steketee, who made his first-class debut for Queensland against Tasmania in February 2015, has taken 182 wickets at an average of 25.67 in 51 matches in his first-class career.

He has also taken 29 wickets at an impressive average of 16.31 in the ongoing Sheffield Shield tournament. Doggett, on the other hand, has taken 11 wickets at an average of 21.45 in first-class cricket this season.

He was also part of the Queensland set-up, which won the Sheffield Shield title in 2020-21, before moving to South Australia in May last year.

Australia will play the first Test match against Pakistan in Rawalpindi from March 4. The second Test will be played in Karachi from March 12 to 16, while the third and last Test will be played in Lahore from March 21 to 25.

After this, both the teams will again go to Rawalpindi, where three ODIs will be played on March 29, March 31 and April 2, while the only T20 match will be played on April 5.

Tasirul Momin: