Pat Cummins, the pace spearhead and captain of Australia's Test team, is questionable for the second Test against the West Indies, which begins on December 8 in Adelaide. The team management promptly stepped in to cover by adding uncapped quick Lance Morris and seasoned fast bowler Michael Neser.
In the first innings of the first Test between Australia and the West Indies in Perth, Cummins experienced quadricep pain and was unable to bowl. As a result, Australia won by a score of 164 runs, with Steve Smith serving as captain.
The selectors have flown Morris and Neser into Adelaide in case the Australia skipper is unable to play in the second Test, which begins on Thursday. The right-armer is hopeful that he will be able to play in that match.
Morris has not yet been given a chance to represent Australia in a Test match, but the 24-year-old has taken more wickets than any other bowler in the Sheffield Shield domestic tournament this year and has regularly clocked speeds above 150 km/h, according to the International Cricket Council.
Neser, meanwhile, has been one of the most reliable players at the domestic level for more than a decade and played his lone Test for Australia against England in Adelaide last year.
While the inclusion of Morris and Neser gives selectors additional pace options should the conditions be favorable, Scott Boland, who is already in Australia's squad, would be the obvious choice to replace Cummins should the captain miss the second Test.
Both players, according to Australia's selection committee chair George Bailey, deserved to be included in the team.
Michael (Neser) has been a regular member of the team in previous campaigns and was simply outstanding in Adelaide last summer, according to Bailey.
"Since then, he has performed with incredible consistency, and his return will be enthusiastically received.
"Another exceptional young fast bowler rising through the ranks is Lance. His ability to open up possibilities for wickets is a major lure, and he has real pace.
He will gain a lot from entering the environment, I think.
For Australia, the test in Adelaide will be crucial in their quest to reach their first ICC World Test Championship final at The Oval the following year. Although Cummins' team leads the World Test Championship standings, it faces challenging Test matches against India and South Africa at home.