Queensland seamer Michael Neser has beaten off Australia’s generation next quicks for the Test tour of New Zealand.
The veteran was named on Friday in a 14-man Australia squad that held no surprises, though his chances of adding to his two Tests in the trans-Tasman series are slim at best.
Michael Neser has been named in Australia’s Test squad for the tour of New Zealand.Credit: Getty
As expected, Queensland batter Matt Renshaw retains his place as the spare batter despite twin failures in the most recent round of the Shield, and Victoria seamer Scott Boland stays as one of two back-up seamers.
Selectors opted against picking a reserve spinner or an understudy with the gloves due to the short travel time to New Zealand.
Boom quick Lance Morris, dubbed the “Wild Thing”, had his hopes dashed by an untimely side strain sustained in game three of the one-day international series against the West Indies in Canberra.
It paved the way for Neser to storm back into calculations in conditions that are expected to suit his seam bowling, though he will need an injury to one of the starting three of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc or Josh Hazlewood to break into the XI.
Neser held off fellow fringe quick Sean Abbott, who is expected to return to red-ball ranks for the next round of Shield matches starting after the Twenty20 series against the West Indies.
Rising quicks Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson are also on the radar of national selectors though a lack of longer-form cricket counted against them.
“Michael Neser returns to the squad which is mostly unchanged from recent squads,” selection chair George Bailey said.
“”It’s great to see Michael Neser get another opportunity in the squad following his ever-consistent performances over a long period of time and the conditions we expect.
“”As we know every Test match provides vital opportunities to obtain valuable WTC points and we expect this tour will be a tough challenge against a very strong side who have been so consistent at home for a long period of time.”
Squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head (vc), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc.
