Michael Neser won’t be picked in the upcoming Ashes squad, however he deserves consideration.
Aside from already being 28 years old, the main reason he won’t get picked is that there simply isn’t room in the line-up with safer and, frankly, better options available.
Despite that, Neser is a handy all-rounder and he needs to be kept in mind over the next few years. There is a respectable niche that Neser could fill better than anyone, especially if he keeps on his upward trajectory.
I can already feel your eyes rolling. If there is anything that exhausts Australian cricket fans more than finding a replacement for Shane Warne, it’s finding an Aussie version of Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff.
The long and drawn-out Mitchell Marsh era has understandably made ‘all rounder’ a dirty word.
It’s not a position that is going to be needed all over the world at all times. It is a total luxury that teams can only afford when they have a Flintoff in their team. Teams also need to recognise when they don’t have this player and how they can be used more sparingly.
With an Ashes on English soil around the corner, in seam-friendly conditions, the selectors must be considering having another fast bowling option.
Who could be in contention? Marcus Stoinis is dominating this conversation at the moment, and some strong ODI performances – rather than time playing Sheffield Shield – could make his case, especially if the selectors want to boost the batting stocks.
Moises Henriques has four Test caps since 2013 and must also be considered, however he isn’t taking on large bowling workloads at the moment.
Marsh is almost certainly out of the question — but we’ve thought that before.
(AAP Image/David Mariuz)
Now to my favourite behind-the-scenes contender: Michael Neser.
He is younger than Henriques and Stoinis, and has the best first-class bowling average of the three mentioned above at 29.95.
That average was even better last Sheffield season, when he was the second-top wicket-taker, at 21.84.
As well as chipping in with regular wickets in twos and threes, his batting this season has been solid. Coming in at seven or eight, he has made five 50s, five not-outs, averaging almost 60 after 12 innings.
His first-class batting average is 27.92, which is only four or five runs lower than Stoinis, Marsh and Henriques.
When looking for a fast-bowling all-rounder, why look further? Neser has been more economical than Marsh has ever been in Tests or first-class cricket, and is more of a wicket-taking option.
Being a more effective bowler takes the pressure off in the batting department, where he’ll need to continue building consistency. This is where he sits behind those other players.
If a batting all-rounder is what you are looking for, Stoinis and Henriques still have him pipped.
However, coming in down the order, not losing his wicket, supporting those above him, chipping in with some 50s and then being such a strong bowler makes him appealing.
boonboon
Roar Pro
Obviously he also went to the UAE so he has been in selectors mind and since coming back he has average 57 this year with the bat and 30 with the ball. I think he could bat at 7 if Paine was up to batting at 6 or you could throw him at 8 if injuries strike the top 3 quicks. I am a fan of what he brings if they are going to pick an all rounder for the Ashes I'd pick him
Burwale
Guest
Marnus will come on and bowl a few overs won’t he?? ;-)
Scotty
Guest
It would be tempting with the batting strength of our bowlers, to pick Neser as a 5th and bat him at 7. However the example of how South Africa went against Sri Lanka should dissuade that strongly.
Gurlivleen Grewal
Roar Pro
For the away Ashes, I think Aus should stick with 5 main bowlers - none of them are really mugs with the bat. This England line up bats really deep and are pretty good at getting loads of runs in English conditions. It is imperative to have 5 good bowlers - each capable of taking a 5-for in a couple of spells - and the English provide so many opportunities of doing so by motoring at the same tempo. If 6 good bats can't get the runs (the runs will sometimes be ugly, ask Kohli), don't expect a lesser 'batting' all rounder to do so either. On average even if one gets 25 runs out of the all rounder - you risk 75+ on avg. (it is quite common for Eng to add 200+ for last 5 wkts) by not having a proper bowler to backup the other 4. This is what SA, Ind found out during their last tours. This strategy alone would win Aussies one match, by inserting them in and bowling them out for 200 or less.
JohnB
Roar Rookie
That's the basis on which he would be picked. His consistent bowling with the Dukes ball post BBL last year was a big part of Qld winning the Shield. It got him into the squad in the UAE and while Peter Siddle had an ok first test Neser would have been at least as effective as him in the second. Unfortunately that's probably as close Neser will get to a Test cap. He had to repeat last year's form to have any chance to get on the Ashes tour - but hasn't hit those heights. To get in a Test side, he needs to be one of the best 4 bowlers available, which with the best will in the world he isn't. As a bowling allrounder, he certainly has some decent numbers, but the times when you'd pick a bowling allrounder ahead of a batting allrounder (or ahead of 6 batsmen and 4 bowlers) are few and far between (and often a mistake).
Paul
Roar Guru
"he can be considered more than just a steady bowler". Maybe this is an "agree to disagree" moment, Kieran. Neser's played 39 first class games and taken 112 wickets, so roughly 3 per game. He's also taken just the one 5 for, which suggests to me he is a good solid bowler who probably won't set the world on fire, unless conditions really suit him. I also think that's where a stint overseas might help him take the next step, if he can pick up a few new tricks in England.
Bucks
Guest
Take him in the ashes squad - he hoops the dukes
Kieran Kirk
Roar Rookie
Yeah he doesn’t replace any of those bowlers at the moment. I’d put in Richardson ahead of him too. After Jhye though... I feel like that’s where he could enter the conversation. A strong finish to this year’s Shield and perhaps a county stint as you say, could make him the 5th best fast bowling selection, given his ability with the bat. I was surprised by how many wickets he does actually get though - he can be considered more than just a steady bowler.
Kieran Kirk
Roar Rookie
Yeah absolutely. There isn’t really an all-rounder spot at the moment. Unless it’s someone who could make the team as a batsman alone. I agree with what you suggest and I think ideally I’d like to see him at 7 with a WK batsman at 6 averaging 37+ (bit more lenient).
jameswm
Roar Guru
He's a decent player, don't dispute that, but I can't se how or where he fits in. He can't be one of our 4 bowlers, and he can't be one of our 6 batsmen. And our keeper and captain bats at 7. If we had a keeper averaging 45 who could bat at 6, maybe. But if you want afast bowler who is close to our best 3, and a worthy test no.7, I'd be looking more at Pattinson. Or CUmmins, for that matter. As it is, we should stick with the formula of 6 batsmen (one or two of whom bowl a bit), one keeper, 3 quicks and one spinner formula.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Yep. He could potentially bat at 7 but that would require Paine to move up to 6, which is probably one spot too high for him. I honestly don't think we need an extra bowling option in the Ashes. The test pitches are generally more seam-friendly than those in Australia. If we can't bowl England out with our best pace trio plus Lyon then we don't deserve to win!
Paul
Roar Guru
Kieran, who would Neser replace in the current lower order lineup of Cummins, Starc, Lyon or Hazlewood? The only bowler I could imagine him replacing would be Hazlewood, unless one of the other quicks was injured, but even then I'm not sure he'd be a first choice as he's a steady bowler rather than an out and out wicket taker and Australia has lots of steady bowlers. I think he could do himself and Australia a favour by having a stint in England. He can already move the ball through the air but this might show selectors how destructive he can be when conditions suit. As you pointed out, he might be an option in the future if the ball's likely to be moving around.
Kieran Kirk
Roar Rookie
Totally agree.
Kieran Kirk
Roar Rookie
I still think he would get edged out by a specialist batsmen or bowler at this stage. That would probably be the better option. If you want a stronger bowling all-rounder though... he’s your guy!
AREH
Roar Guru
It would have to be at number 8, because he is an ideal fit there, and just not a 6, even with how far his batting has come. A constant contributor at Shield level just about every time he kits up for QLD; there would be far worse options. I like this.
El Loco
Roar Rookie
Hmm, that psychotic batch of question marks was a smiley face...
El Loco
Roar Rookie
"Aside from already being 28 years old, the main reason he won’t get picked is that there simply isn’t room in the line-up with safer and, frankly, better options available." I guess you're not his agent then ????
DingoGray
Roar Guru
He's a good option, hence why he won't get a chance.