Michael Neser left the field injured late in India A’s first innings on Thursday afternoon after tearing apart the tourists’ top order.

Neser pulled up short immediately after bowling the first ball of his 13th over before hobbling off the MCG turf and towards the race. The 34-year-old reportedly injured his hamstring.

He was unable to continue in the field and appears unlikely to bowl for the remainder of the second tour match.

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The paceman was earlier denied a first-over hat-trick but exited the first innings with four wickets already to his name.

Neser needed just three deliveries to make his first breakthrough. He combined with Scott Boland to have India scrambling at 4-11 after just 16 balls.

India A was bowled out for 161 runs after tea.

Wicketkeeper batter Dhruv Jurel scored almost half his side’s runs with 80 from 186 balls, including two massive blows over the rope.

Australia all-rounder Beau Webster claimed 3-19 while veteran seamer Boland finished with 1-51.

Contenders for Australia’s Test opening spot are at the crease with Nathan McSweeney and Marcus Harris having opened Australia A’s innings in their final audition.

Largely touted as the pick of the bunch, McSweeney was dismissed by India A’s opening bowler Mukesh Kumar for 14.

Harris was then joined at the crease by another candidate for the vacant top-order role in Australia’s Test team, Cameron Bancroft.

MORE TO COME.