Michael Neser must be in the Australian XI for the first Test against Pakistan at the Gabba on November 21.
The 29-year-old South African-born quick has been the most consistent and underrated performer in the last 24 months of Australian domestic cricket, playing his role for Queensland with both bat and ball.
Since the start of the 2017/18 Sheffield Shield season, Neser has played 21 matches, scoring 823 runs at an average of 30.48 with the bat, while also taking 84 wickets at just 21.46.
These are outstanding numbers from what is the country’s best long-form all-rounder, and recognition is well deserved.
Neser’s presence in the United Kingdom during the Ashes tour was a smart move from the Australian selectors, as it gave a nod to the hard-working state-league players, while giving exposure to a future Test player.
His relevance to the international discussion is only piquing now he has strung together injury-free cricket for an extended period of time.
Neser suffered from injuries early in his career, limiting his ability to nail down a spot in Queensland’s best team until his mid-20s.
In recent times, the all-rounder – who will be playing his 50th first-class match shortly – has clearly been identified as Queensland’s most important bowler, and perhaps their most important player, often opening the bowling and batting at seven.
(Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
What appeals most about Neser – other than his naturally excellent record at the Gabba – is his ability to bowl in multiple styles depending on the game situation.
Fine-tuning his craft for the Adelaide Strikers in particular, Neser can bowl with late in-swing, troubling right-handed batsmen at all times, while being equally as capable as a heavy-ball bowler.
Seemingly tireless, Neser is a bit like Pat Cummins in his bustling and busy approach to the crease, with an ability to bowl long spells if necessary.
Often seen as a bowler’s pitch, the Gabba hosting the first Test is almost too perfect to blood a veteran debutant who can provide immediately good output for Australia.
Many will refer to Mitch Starc as the obvious third pace-bowling choice, particularly after his ten-wicket performance against Tasmania.
Rewarding truly outstanding form in the domestic cricket should be a priority given the state of the Australian cricket team. Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Wade were rewarded and delivered during the Ashes, while Peter Siddle played his role well.
Starc’s ten-wicket performance had backed up 1/87 and 0/42 at the Gabba of all places, where ball was the dominant aspect of the fixture.
The 29-year-old has an indifferent record at the Gabba in Tests as well. In six Tests, Starc has taken 25 wickets at an average of 30.63 – far from terrible – but his economy rate is 3.85 and 11 of his wickets have come from batsmen seven to 11 in the order, wrapping up the tail with his typically dangerous yorkers at tail-enders.
The argument that Starc needs to be picked at the Gabba isn’t as strong as people may like it to be.
The main two pace spots are locked in, with both Cummins and Hazlewood in excellent form and with good records at the venue.
Josh Hazlewood has 17 wickets at 29.64, however his economy rate is 2.96 and his metronomic consistency is invaluable to the Australian team.
Pat Cummins has a typically brilliant record at the Gabba, with 14 wickets 11.54.
The other bowler who will come into consideration is James Pattinson, who has 11 wickets at 22 in his two matches at the venue.
Bowling well without much luck, Pattinson’s successful return during the Ashes means he will be a part of a larger pace rotation during a busy period of time.
What Australia need to find right now, though, is a reliable third bowling option who can deliver in all facets of the game, and build into an extended Test career.
With Neser’s elite form in red-ball cricket and at the Gabba, now is the time to select him.
It has been a little while since Australia has had the quiet, unassuming type of bowler within its set-up.
Ryan Harris springs to mind when thinking about the sort of player Australia is eager to discover during this home summer.
It’s a big comparison to live up to, but if Australia are serious about rewarding form and engaging state cricketers to believe that opportunities are there for those who deserve it, the country’s best domestic all-rounder should be given the chance.
‘Rhino’ was a cult hero who came into his own later in his career.
Michael Neser is next in line for the role, and he must play Test cricket on November 21.
johnb
Guest
You'd need 2 of Cummins, Hazlewood and Richardson to be out injured. Neser could then be first change behind whichever of those 3 remains standing, and Starc or Pattinson. Otherwise, much as it's always good to see a Qld-er in the side, and decent player though he is, the others are better.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
Barring a serious bus crash, I predict that Neser is destined to join that long list of non-NSW players who get to be classified as; "Unlucky never to have played a Test". If he doesn't get a BG this season then next summer the "He's too old" excuse will be given.
qwetzen
Roar Rookie
There's been something missing in the discussion for the T1 bowlers. That old favourite; "Horses for Courses". Can't imagine why...
Dexter The Hamster
Roar Rookie
I thought he should have played the "Peter Siddle Tests" in the Ashes. Would have gone OK in my humble opinion, and given him a real shot this summer. Given he didn't play in England, he probably needs an injury or two to some others to get his shot at it. I like him though, think he would do well, esp at the Gabba, and in any D/N tests.
Chris M
Roar Rookie
A good read, thanks for writing. Would certainly endorse a Neser debut at the Gabba if not some point this summer. I feel the selectors missed a trick not giving him a go in the UK, he would bowl well over in those conditions. Knowing the selectors and as I have written in the past, they will take the path of least resistance and just pick Starc to play. Same as David Warner, they'll use his one decent performance to weight the whole argument of picking him (Starc). Aas others have written here, I saw a lot of the WA v VIC shield game both Richardson and Pattinson bowled very well and would also do the job if called upon.
Brett A
Roar Rookie
Love this. Good to see Neser picked for the Aus A game against Pakistan in Perth on November 11, alongside Sean Abbott. Both should be a chance for a test fast bowling group alongside Cummins, Hazlewood, Pattinson, Starc and Jhye Richardson.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I love your take on Starc's performance. :thumbup: I just hope Richardson's throwing arm comes back.
JamesH
Roar Guru
You seem to have forgotten about Richardson? He's got more upside than Neser and would have played in the Ashes if not for injury. In his first three Shield efforts this season he's taken 9 wickets at 17.33 on decent WACA batting surface with an economy of 2rpo, so clearly he's back in business. I don't think Starc should be an automatic pick at the Gabba but your statement that 11 of his wickets have been 7-11 batsmen doesn't prove much. It means that 14 of his 25 wickets (56%) are top 6 batsmen, which seems reasonable enough to me. I like Neser but he's behind Richardson, Pattinson and Starc for mine. Personally I'd go for Richardson. He's young, he's fit, he has an excellent record over his 15 FC matches, he can bat, he's suited to the Gabba wicket and the pink ball (Adelaide), he'll be surrounded by established bowlers who can take pressure off him, and we're not playing what CA would consider to be 'big' series this summer. It's the perfect time to bring him in.
Alex Hudson
Roar Guru
Don't get me wrong, I'm a big supporter in Michael Neser making his test debut, but I don't believe it should be this summer. That's because with a bowling attack of Pattinson, Starc, Cummins, Hazlewood and Richardson, I don't really think that Australia needs another pace-bowler thrown into the mix. Although he has been performing quite well with the bat and despite Mitch Marsh being injured, Australia's still got many top quality all-rounders to choose from such as Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell and Ashton Agar. However, as Neser is 29 years old, he still has a bit of time to make his test debut.
Burwale
Guest
No battle for 3rd quick. Let’s go with 4! Hazel wood, Cummins,Stark And Neser. And the Goat. We don’t have a proper alrounder all these can hold a bat. And Neser is a smarter player than Marsh. If we do get rolled cheaply you could expect to do the same. Also eases the workload for the quicks so could conceivably play all tests!
Rob
Guest
Can't see how he get's a start over proven Test performers like Starc and Pattinson.
Paul
Roar Guru
If I was a fast bowler in contention for a Test spot this summer, I'd be hoping the selectors did not adopt a "horses for courses" approach, but chose the 3rd quick on the basis they should be capable of playing in all 5 Tests, assuming they maintained form and were injury free. On that basis, I can't see why selectors would choose a Test debutant, who has had a good start to the Shield summer, over proven Test quality bowlers like J Richardson, Pattinson & Starc?
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I like Neser and I like your logic behind him being picked and would have no problem if he was. But I also think there is no way it will happen. Cummins and Hazlewood are a lock like you said. I think in the selectors minds Starc, Pattinson and Richardson are all ahead of Neser in the pecking order. Whether that is right or not... I'm not sure. I think Neser's best chance is if they decided to bat him at 7 with Paine at 6 and go for 5 bowlers. A batting lineup of Paine, Neser, Cummins, Starc / Pattinson from 6-9 is just as effective as our last test which had MMarsh, Paine, Cummins, Siddle from 6-9.