Australian Test selection: Spots on the line in Sheffield Shield Rd 2
Usman Khawaja’s hopes of fighting his way back into the Test team have suffered another jolt as Queensland’s Sheffield Shield batting blues continued at the Gabba.
Swing bowler Michael Neser (5-56) did splendidly to subdue South Australia for 221 with a mesmerising early control but the day turned sour for Queensland (3-70) when their top order failed again after lively Wes Agar (3-6 from seven overs) madea stunning first class debut.
Swing bowler Michael Neser (5-56) did splendidly to subdue South Australia for 221 with a mesmerising early control but the day turned sour for Queensland (3-70) when their top order failed again after lively Wes Agar (3-6 from seven overs) madea stunning first class debut.
Matt Renshaw (18) fell to a one-handed leg-side snare by Alex Carey, Joe Burns (39) played across the line to be trapped infront while Khawaja suffered a similar fate when he was stuck on the crease again.
After being dropped in the Ashes Khawaja (two) needs big runs to convince the selectors he is worth another dice roll despite his impressive record on Australian soil but the Bulls have scored just one Shield century between them since the start of last summer and there has been no major early promise this season.
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The selectors would not have enjoyed Khawaja’s dismissal because they will feel that it is a similar problem - limited feet movement - that haunted him in England.
Neser put the sleeper hold on South Australia with an impeccable new-ball performance, taking 3-6 from nine overs in the first session.
At one stage he had 3-0 off 41 balls and his performance came on the back of a tidy five wicket effort against NSW last round in which he dismissed David Warner and Steve Smith.
Neser did not play a Test on the recent Ashes tour but he has returned a wiser bowler.
“Watching how the big quicks went about it I took a couple of tips,’’ Neser said.
“And how they prepared for games too. They are very helpful. I definitely learnt a lot about bowling in the UK.
“We love bowling at the Gabba. We take pride that is is our home. We follow the leads of the quicks before us with peoplel ike Andy Bichel, Michael Kasprowicz, Mokka (Carl Rackemann) and even Lukey Feldman.’’
Originally published as Australian Test selection: Spots on the line in Sheffield Shield Rd 2
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