Australia's pace reserves take hit as Michael Neser suffers injury blow ahead of Bangladesh Test series

Australia's pace reserves have taken a blow a week before the start of their two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home, as Michael Neser has picked up a calf strain. While Neser has not been named in Australia's squad for the series, he was a back-up option but sustained the injury while training with the Test side in Brisbane.

Neser hasn't had a consistent run in terms of selection but has been impressive whenever called up to render his services in the absence of the three frontline quicks: Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. He claimed 15 wickets in the three Tests of the Ashes last summer at 19.93 and was arguably the next in line in the event of an injury to a first-choice pacer.

Australia also suffered a minor scare when wicketkeeper batter Josh Inglis suffered back spasms while having a hit during an intra-squad match at the Allan Border Field. However, Australia's head coach Andrew McDonald has assured Inglis would most likely be available for the first Test against Bangladesh, which starts on August 13 at the Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin.

"He's had a back flare up. He has had these from time to time. There'll be no issue, it'll just be letting it settle down and then getting him back into work," McDonald told cricket.com.au.

"We've got enough time. We'll probably be conservative on that, make sure that's right before you see him return into the nets and the preparation phase … there is no concern around whether he would be available or not."

McDonald said they were happy with the prep they had in the lead-up to the Test series after everyone travelled "back and forth" to Brisbane from their homes.

"We've had two decent hit-outs, 60 overs a day, everyone's been able to meet the demands," he said.

"We've been able to create a connection from training, build up that intensity with the match simulation, it almost took on the shape of a fully-fledged game, which was nice.

"It's a group that's keen to get back into it and we've got a couple more days on Thursday and Friday to finish off that preparation. The guys have been doing a lot of work coming back and forth to Brisbane."