Mark Steketee replaces injured Michael Neser in Australia Test squad for Pakistan tour

Queensland quick Mark Steketee has replaced injured team-mate Michael Neser in Australia's 18-man squad for their upcoming tour of Pakistan.

Neser, who played his only Test in Adelaide during the Ashes, was officially ruled out Wednesday after suffering a side strain in Queensland's 50-over defeat to New South Wales earlier in the week.

Steketee, who hasn't played international cricket, had been on standby before receiving the nod and he will spearhead Queensland in their Sheffield Shield match against Victoria starting on Friday. Legspinner Mitchell Swepson, who is part of Australia's squad, will also line up for Queensland.

Steketee is this season's Sheffield Shield leading wicket taker with 29 wickets at 16.31 from five matches. He has been on the fringes of a Test call up previously having been part of Australia's squad for last year's Test tour of South Africa, which was cancelled.

South Australia fast bowler Brendan Doggett, who is uncapped for Australia, has also been named as a standby player for the Pakistan tour and will join the squad next week as cover. New South Wales bowling allrounder Sean Abbott is also on standby but has been on the sidelines as he recovers from a side strain.

The first Test between Australia and Pakistan starts on March 4 in Rawalpindi.

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (capt), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith (vice-capt), Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.

Standby: Brendan Doggett, Sean Abbott