Ashes 2021-22: Michael Neser is ready for whatever the pressure of Ashes cricket throws at him

Few players are better prepared for the heat of an Ashes series than Michael Neser. Why? Because he has been through a lot worse.

Michael Neser with his baggy green. Picture: Getty Images

No matter what stresses engulf Michael Neser in his rushed Test debut, this much is certain … he’s seen worse.

Neser was fast asleep in the back seat of his family car in his country of birth South Africa when it was deliberately rammed at an intersection, and then looted as the terrified family waited on the side of the road.

The last straw had been broken. The Neser family decided they would start a new life in Australia.

Neser moved to Australia at age nine and quietly worked his way through the representative ranks with Queensland without fuss or fanfare.

A few years ago Neser was told his sponsorship with a shoe manufacturer had been discontinued and shrugged, “that’s all right, I’ll just buy my own.”

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Michael Neser is making his Test match rebut in Adelaide. Picture: Getty Images

Neser grew up with a famous photo on his wall taken by The Courier-Mail’s Jim Fenwick of a horizontal South African cult hero Jonty Rhodes sailing in to effect a run-out in the 1992 World Cup.

Soon his heroes became Australian.

When he left the Brisbane Heat for the Adelaide Strikers in a deal he simply could not refuse, the word was that Neser shed a tear as he was explaining his decision to Heat officials.

Neser’s first Test cap ends the hashtag #Nesermustplay which has trailed him around the world over the past three years as a plea from loyal fans for him to get a start.

He had been part of 16 Test squads without getting a start before today. No fast bowler in Australian Test history has ever been so close for so long without getting a baggy green cap.

His selection triggered a wave of goodwill among his Queensland team-mates with Bulls captain Usman Khawaja hugging Neser as if he was a returning war hero after Neser was presented with his first Test cap by Glenn McGrath an hour before play.

Neser’s Queensland coach Wade Seccombe said Neser would not be fazed by the late call-up.

“He’s absolutely ready and he’s been ready for a long time,’’ Seccombe said.

“He just knows his game. You can tell that by the way his first ball is always on the money. Right line, right length.

Michael Neser with his baggy green. Picture: Getty Images

“He’s really laidback Ness but he also does a lot of research and is a bit of a cricket nuffy. This is a great opportunity for him.”

When interviewed by News Corp last year Neser said a baggy green cap would mean everything to him.

“It gives me goosebumps when I actually think about playing for Australia in Test match cricket,” Neser said.

“Australia is my home. If I get a baggy green, to be honest, I’m not sure how I’d react. It will be emotional.

“I’ve always loved Test match cricket, that’s always been my dream. It’s where my heart is.”

THE NATHAN LYON EFFECT IS CAUSING ASHES SELECTION CHAOS

Off-spinners are not renowned for creating selection-room chaos but one sweet punch from Nathan Lyon is threatening to undermine two English Ashes campaigns four years apart.

English all-rounder Moeen Ali drew smiles from both camps when he walked into the Australian dressing room at the SCG after the final day’s play in the 2017-18 Ashes wearing a sign hanging from his chin. It had a target on it and the message “hit me Gary”.

It was Moeen’s playful, exasperated response to a dire personal summer in which Lyon had cast a spell over him to the point he had fallen seven times in nine innings to his off-spinning rival.

The ensuing stress had filtered through to Moeen’s bowling — he took just five wickets at 115. Given the treatment Moeen copped that tour, it came as no surprise three months ago when he suddenly announced his retirement from Tests.

While he didn’t say as much at the time, it was generally thought that at age 34 the prospect of another rugged Australian tour crystalized his thoughts the time was right to go, even though he would have been a certain selection.

Nathan Lyon’s effort to snare 400 Test wickets is one of cricket’s most underrated achievements. Picture: Brenton Edwards/AFP

You might say England are not missing Moeen given his results last time but, had he toured, England could have easily found a way to slot Stuart Broad into the team in Brisbane by batting Moeen at No.7 to give him the chance to pay his way with some handy runs and the odd wicket.

Instead, England has a huge ongoing drama over whether they will continue to play besieged left-arm spinner Jack Leach, not just in Adelaide but throughout the series.

Even with Leach in the team, the side copped $300,000 worth of fines for slow over rates in Brisbane.

To leave him out in Adelaide and play five right-arm seamers is asking for more fines and an attack with so many pace options they are likely to get in each other’s road.

Leach is likely to be ruthlessly targeted when he bowls which gives him some chance of taking wickets because at least he knows what is coming.

Australia’s batters were ruthless against Jack Leach in the first test at the Gabba. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

It’s a tactic both teams know well and one which spans all the way back to the 1960s when Don Bradman rang up Brisbane-based Test player Peter Burge before Queensland played England in a tour game with the message: “I want you to take down (English offie) Jim Laker … attack him at all costs.’’

Australia can be a brutal tour for English finger spinners, not simply the rank and file but the very best of them.

Graeme Swann, who took 255 Test wickets and was one of England’s finest bowlers this century, retired midway through the 2013-14 Ashes series after taking seven wickets in the first three Tests, missing the final Tests in Melbourne and Sydney.

Phil Tufnell, the flighty but gifted English left-armer, ended up in a Perth mental asylum one night after the collective stresses of a relationship breakdown and a challenging tour took their toll.

Most overseas spinners that come to Australia struggle, which is why Lyon’s effort to reach 400 Test wickets is one of Australian cricket’s most underrated achievements.