AUS VS SA: Due to the side injury he sustained last week, Josh Hazlewood will not play in the opening Test against South Africa. Australia’s captain Pat Cummins is expected to play at the Gabba.

For Hazlewood, there are regrettable parallels to last year. He sustained a side strain in the first Ashes game and was later forced to withdraw from the series. Although the turnaround during the series is extremely tight, it is hoped that he will get the chance to play in Melbourne or Sydney this time.

Australia Announces Team for South Africa Tests

The 14-player team for the Test, which begins on Saturday in Brisbane, has been announced by the selectors, and Lance Morris, who has never played for his country before but was called up for the West Indies game in Adelaide, was kept.

With Scott Boland, who recorded a triple-wicket maiden on Saturday night in Adelaide, expected to keep his spot, Cummins, who had a quad tightness, would likely replace Michael Neser. Neser, a Queensland player, has a remarkable first-class record at the Gabba, though, with 77 wickets at 19.46.

AUS VS SA: Cummins Almost Set to be Back

In the third and fourth days of play in Adelaide, Cummins bowled on the outfield before the game, and he will do so once more on Tuesday.

National selector George Bailey said, “Pat continues to improve. He bowled with freedom on Saturday and appears likely to play this match although Josh will need more time. With that in mind we have retained Michael Neser and Lance Morris in the squad for this match.

“Michael bowled superbly in Adelaide, as did Scott. We were impressed as always with their performances that backed up what they have achieved in the past. Lance is a very exciting prospect who will benefit from time with the squad. With so much cricket ahead, we continue to seek opportunities to grow and maintain our fast-bowling experience and depth.”

The performances of Neser and Boland in Adelaide demonstrated the depth of Australia’s fast bowling lineup.

AUS VS SA: Captain’s Take

The stand-in captain Steven Smith said. “The fact that guys are coming in and doing great jobs, it’s great for stocks. They are all different, the way they go about. Boland and Neser, they are a little more skiddy and bring the stumps into play a little bit more than Cummo and Hoff [Hazlewood].

“Lance Morris has been in the squad, most guys aren’t too keen on facing him in the nets. We’ll that opportunity at the Gabba on some faster wickets which will be nice. Our stocks are great so keeps things really competitive.”

AUS VS SA: Australia’s 14-member squad

Australia squad David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland, Michael Neser, Marcus Harris, Lance Morris