The funny thing about so many fans getting hot under the collar about Michael Neser being selected for the Test tour of New Zealand is that it doesn’t really matter.
But it does.
This contradiction of sentences needs urgent clarification.
And here it is.
He will be the back-up back-up to back up three fast bowlers who continue to back up Test after Test.
The chances of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc or Josh Hazlewood not being selected for the two matches in New Zealand are less than 1%.
Such is their durability in recent times, the chance of injury striking is perhaps double that minuscule percentage.
And if poor fortune happened to befall one of them, Scott Boland is the obvious replacement as he has a better Test record and recent first-class record than Neser.
The Queenslander, who has just two Tests under his belt due to the omnipresent Big Three, has had a rare down season in the Sheffield Shield with the ball, taking just nine wickets in six outings with an average north of 50.
But when it comes to the no-fuss Aussie player who looks like they’d be a great hang at the bar in the footsteps of Andy Bichel, Simon Katich and Ryan Harris, Neser would be the current holder of that honorary title.
Michael Neser. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Next month he will join Boland as a 34-year-old. Time is running out for the late blooming duo.
And that is why selecting Neser does matter. It was a golden chance to give an emerging quick like Spencer Johnson or Xavier Bartlett a chance to spend time in the Test camp on tour and learn from the all-time great trio who have kept dozens of potential Australian players from getting a baggy green cap.
Johnson is still a raw prospect even though he is already 28. Years of serious injuries delayed his progression through the ranks but 20 wickets at 23.15 in four matches at first-class level, including two seven-wicket hauls, prove that he is worth the investment.
When lining up like for like replacements for the incumbent quicks, Johnson is the Starc heir apparent as the left-armer although he has a taller action with more reliance on seam movement than swing.
When it comes to swing, Bartlett showed not just in the ODIs against the West Indies that he can hoop the ball around.
He took a collective 8-38 from 16 overs with some near unplayable late out-swingers proving too much for the Windies to handle.
(Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
But this is not a flash in the pan. He’s been delivering the goods for Queensland over the past five years at Shield level – 62 wickets at 26.03 in 18 matches is a significant sample size to suggest he can be a success not just in the white-ball formats in the international arena.
The other obvious candidate to step into the Big Three’s sizeable footsteps down the track is speedster Lance Morris, whose untimely side strain cruelled his chances of a trip to NZ.
Morris has the rare air speed which no one else in Australian cricket possesses at the moment – particularly if the Big Three start to drop a yard or two in pace in the near future, his point of difference of out and out pace could become even more valuable.
Jhye Richardson is the other pace understudy waiting for a chance in the spotlight but until he can string together an injury-free season, his durability is going to be seen as a liability.
But when can we expect to see any of these younger options getting their shot at Test cricket?
Inherent in the value of the baggy green cap is that it is earned and never given away on a whim.
Xavier Bartlett celebrates at Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Photo by Morgan Hancock – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc are under no obligation to do the honourable thing and step aside to allow someone else a chance until they have had enough.
And none of them seem even close to contemplating retirement and they have each indicated that the white-ball formats will be the first to go if they decide to scale back their availability before calling it a day.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan was bemused during his recent Fox Cricket commentary sojourn that the Aussie selectors haven’t given a player like Morris at least one Test over the past two home summers to see how he’d fare in cricket’s toughest environment.
England managed to sustain Stuart Broad into his late 30s and James Anderson is still going at 41 because they cut back their white-ball commitments and were rotated out of the Test line-ups on occasion.
They each turned out for their last T20 for England when they were 27, Broad played his last ODI at 29 and Anderson was 32.
James Anderson and Stuart Broad (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Cummins, 30, Starc, 34, and Hazlewood, 33, still play all three formats. Hazlewood was brought in for an ODI in Sydney and is part of the T20 series against the Windies which moves to Adelaide on Sunday night while the other two are resting up after the trio played all five home Tests this summer.
Presumably after the T20 World Cup in June, Starc or Hazlewood might start the transition into a reduced international workload so that these other fast bowlers can step up in the white-ball squads.
But such is their longevity and all-round class, there’s a possibility that in a few years time, someone like Johnson will already be in his 30s and still waiting for a chance at Test level or have just a couple of matches under his belt like Neser.
When it comes to the major assignments on the horizon – the home series against India and England over the next two summers, the 2025 World Test Championship final defence and the Ashes tour two years later, don’t rule out the prospect of Cummins, Starc and Hazlewood remaining the three-pronged pace attack the whole way through.
Blink
Roar Rookie
Well Green is in at 4, which suggests to 99% of us that he is picked for his batting. But you might see the allrounder Head as expendable to give Neser a run. I'm all for picking the best team available, every time. It works. And that is what test cricket is about. While SA cricket are currently broke, when they have money available, I'm sure we'll see a competitive team again.
Paul Suttor
Expert
You can make arguments either way but ultimately his selection wasn’t … Neserssary
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Agreed on all points, but selectors must feel like if one of their specialist quicks are injured mid-match, they have someone who can make up the majority of the missing overs. As you say, though, Australia have so many bowling options in their best 11 that it seems like overkill. Neser's selection really only makes sense if he is regarded as one of the best 5 fast bowlers in Australia. I'm a big fan of his, but current form suggests otherwise. Maybe conditions in New Zealand would be to his liking if he was called upon.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Neser is a better batter than Sutherland or Abbott. I’d be more comfortable with him coming in at 7 than either of those two though. The other thing is, does an All Rounder need to get through that many overs? Say they came in for Marsh, you’ve still got 3 frontline seamers, plus Green, plus Lyon, plus Head, plus Marnus if really necessary. I don’t think another All Rounder is required - I’d probably just play the specialist bat.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I agree with you, but I think the selectors just didn't think that Hardie would be able to get through enough overs. My point with Abbott and Sutherland is that if you were going to choose a more bowler-oriented all-rounder, at least choose one in decent form with the ball. The thing is, Neser is not going to be coming in any higher than 7 in the batting order, so bowling has to be his main currency, which it currently isn't.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Australian cricket fans: “I’m so sick of these picks on potential. They should be picking guys who have done the hard yards and earned their place” Selectors: pick older player who has done exactly that. Australian cricket fans: “Another old guy? Won’t somebody please think of the children”.
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
And another list of possibles....... Interesting - - Xavier Bartlett.......people have fallen in love with him swinging the white ball. And he's looked good no doubt. He's only 18 matches into his FC career with 62 wickets at 26.03, econ of 3.03 and S/R of 51.5. One 5wI (7/96) and no 10wM; but another 5 4wI. So a bit to like. Just turned 25 in December. I do ponder that Fergus O'Neill isn't mentioned - 15 matches inti his FC career with 55 wickets at 20.18, econ of 2.42 and S/R of 49.9. 3 FwI (best of 5/28), 1 10wM and another 2 4wI. Just turned 23 in Jan. For Jhye Richardson........he's only managed 25 FC matches - very nice numbers. If only he can get his body right. He HAS had 3 tests including as a very raw young paceman back in 2019. Was he rushed?? Spencer Johnson at 28 and Richardson 27........perhaps that's the age profile? At this point though........I'm more than happy for O'Neill to remain in Vics colours as they push for the Shield........the question of benefit of missing red ball matches just to be in a squad............it a balancing act.
Ace
Roar Rookie
Stay in the team but relegated to reserves or benched You 0bviously have not played team sport Rediculous comment on your part What are reserve teams for
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Well for me Green and Marsh are both batting All rounders whose primary job is to bat and then add some extra overs - same as Hardie. Sutherland and Abbott are both bowlers that bat a bit so play significantly different roles. If one of Green or Marsh go down you are needing someone to bat top 6 - you either pick a specialist batsman (I.e. Renshaw, McSweeney, Bancroft) or a batting all rounder (Hardie). If Green/Marsh we’re batting 7 or below a bowler that bats a bit comes into the frame.
sheek
Roar Guru
Rowdy, You are hilarious! Yes, I remember Frank Keating, a British journalist charged in 2000 with selecting the then all-time best rugby teams from Wales, England, Scotland & Ireland. When he got to the Welsh #10 (flyhalf) he couldn't decide between 3 outstanding candidates, waking up each morning with a different selection & picking the guy he woke up with on the naming day. At least so he said! I've claimed that same right. Yesterday, it was Simmo & Hades. Before that it was Simmo & Phantom. I will most probably oscillate for the rest of my days! Aussie opener is especially tough - since 1967 Simmo with either Hades & Phantom. JL just a bit off the pace. Since the beginning - Simmo & Phantom, Hades & JL, Trumper & Ponsford, Morris & Woodfull - so many quality options. And always follow the Bradman mantra: "when all things are equal, go for a right & left-hand combo". Because Australia can do that better than anyone else! Although not so much in recent times, last 30 years, too many lefties. Don't follow the Rowdy rule of combining star signs, that's rubbish in my humble opinion!!! :stoked: :silly: :laughing:
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Presumably, he hasn't been bowling enough recently in the selectors minds. Sutherland or Abbott would currently be next up based purely on recent form with BOTH bat and ball. But Hardie is the right choice going forward.
Sgt Pepperoni
Roar Rookie
I did say arguably :stoked:
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
So not true. Joel Paris is the man. He swings it around corners,at pace,and on the money and has the best strike rate of any bowler this season. Check out his record this year,last year and the year before. You're not prejudiced against Western Australian players, are you..? He's also a decent lower-order batsperson.
Paul
Roar Rookie
There's a real logjam at the top end of the bowling stocks. Great for Australian cricket but no good if you're 2nd or 3rd in line. I'm looking forward to seeing if someone like Fergus O'Neil can kick on. He's taken a few 5/ this season, including against SA last week.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
I think that if, as Lance Morris does, one has the power of flight, ball sports seem very inconsequential.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
Are you seriously suggesting that in baseball, basketball, and the football codes, out-of-form players never stay in the team? If so, follow-up question: have you ever seen, heard, or read anything about any sport ever?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I agree with everything except your Aussie Captain and openers. Of your lot Waugh is a lay down misere; he even looked militant. And I’d go with the 2 Aquarians (Simmo & the Phantam) or the 2 Scorpios (Haydos and Langer) for openers. No two signs hate each other more.
sheek
Roar Guru
Rowdy, "Not in the land of 9 quick innings". You left the brilliant late twist of the knife until last. Wonderful response. Much better than the limp, wounded Black Knights (Its only a flesh wound) utterances from those still harbouring bitterness against me from imagined slights. I'm lucky. A devotee of test cricket since 1967 & still hanging on, just. I have 55 years or so of wonderful cricket memories to sustain me. Lets see if I can pick a red ball XI of those past 55 years to do just to test cricket. Sunil Gavaskar (India), Barry Richards (South Africa), Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka), Graeme Pollock (South Africa), Viv Richards (West Indies), Gary Sobers (West Indies-vc), Imran Khan (Pakistan-c), Alan Knott (England-k), Malcolm Marshall (West Indies), Dennis Lillee (Australia), Mutiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka), Richard Hadlee (New Zealand-12th man). I'll accept accusations of some generational biases in my selections. And it's not always about the averages. Best Aussie XI, 1967-present: Bob Simpson, Matt Hayden, Ricky Ponting (c), Greg Chappell, Allan Border (vc), Steve Waugh, Adam Gilchrist (k), Shane Warne, Pat Cummins, Dennis Lillee, Glenn McGrath, Steve Smith (12th man). Although Smith's stats are compelling, I don't think he is of the same massive character as the middle four I've chosen. That's my perspective & my prerogative. That's out from me.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Like the cattle in convoys of silence?
Cam
Roar Rookie
Not a fan of players being picked on potential or for “development”. If you are fair-dinkum about winning test matches, pick the best players available to win the match in front of you. And who are the best 5 quicks available? Cummins, Starc, Hazlewood, Boland and Neser, so yeah, good job George Bailey. Eddie Jones took the I’m-the-smartest-person-in-the-room approach by picking on potential during the 2023 RWC and set the code back 10 years.