McDermott replaces injured McKay for ODIs

The Queensland fast bowler Alister McDermott is set to follow his father Craig in becoming an international cricketer after being added to the squad for Australia's ODIs against Pakistan in the UAE. McDermott has replaced Clint McKay for the one-day portion of the tour after McKay suffered a hamstring strain during an intra-squad practice match at Australia's team camp in Darwin at the weekend.

McKay's fitness for the Twenty20 matches in the UAE remains uncertain but he has been named in the 15-man squad for the ICC World Twenty20, which starts in Sri Lanka in mid-September. McKay has been Australia's leading wicket taker in one-day internationals this year, with 27 victims at 23.88, and was also the best performer in their attack during the recent ODI series against England.

"Clint sustained a hamstring strain during the first intra-squad practice match in Darwin and will not recover in time to play in the one-day component of the series in the UAE," Alex Kountouris, Australia's physio, said. "He will be reassessed over the week to determine his availability for the T20 component of the UAE tour against Pakistan."

The three-match T20 series against Pakistan begins in Dubai on September 5, after three one-day internationals in Sharjah and Abu Dhabi. Those matches will provide McDermott, 21, with his first opportunity to represent Australia, and if he makes his debut he will become the fourth Australian after Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh and Ben Laughlin to follow his father into ODI cricket.

Craig McDermott played 71 Tests and 138 one-day internationals for Australia and until May this year was the team's bowling coach. Alister McDermott has proven himself a valuable fast bowler for Queensland since making his debut at the age of 17, and topped the Ryobi Cup wicket tally last season with 16 victims at 18.87.

"Alister was impressive in all formats last summer and bowled very well for Australia A against Durham last week," John Inverarity, the national selector, said. "He is a very fit and disciplined young man who bowls with good sense and good control."