Aussie pacer Neser ruled out of Bangladesh Test series with calf injury

Australia have suffered an injury setback ahead of their upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh as pacer Michael Neser has been ruled out for nearly a month after suffering a calf injury during a practice session.

Although Neser's name was not in the 13-member main squad announced for the Bangladesh series, he was being considered as a potential replacement if any of the frontline pacers, including Pat Cummins or Josh Hazlewood, were sidelined. However, this fresh injury has ended that possibility.

The Bangladesh-Australia Test series is scheduled to begin on 13 August, with the second and final Test starting on 22 August. As Neser requires a month of rehabilitation, he will not be available for the entire series.

The good news for Australia is that Neser is expected to recover before their tour of South Africa in October, where Australia are scheduled to play three Tests.

Neser had impressed during the recent Ashes series, where he took 15 wickets at an average of 19.93 after getting an opportunity in the absence of Cummins and Hazlewood.

He played a key role in Australia's 4-1 series victory, claiming his first five-wicket haul at the Gabba and picking up four wickets each in the Melbourne and Sydney Tests.

Neser had suffered a hamstring injury in November last year while playing for Australia 'A'. He later earned a Cricket Australia central contract on the back of his impressive Ashes performances.

Australia have a busy schedule ahead, with 20 to 21 Tests lined up over the next 12 months. The team management is planning to increase depth in the pace-bowling department to ease the workload on experienced pacers and ensure adequate alternatives. Neser is likely to be part of a five or six-man pace attack for the South Africa tour.