Australia v New Zealand Test series: Michael Neser recalled to replace injured Lance Morris

Michael Neser is back in Australia’s Test squad, replacing the injured Lance ‘Wild Thing’ Morris for the tour of New Zealand.

Michael Neser’s return to the Australian squad owes in part to expected seam-friendly conditions in New Zealand.

As flagged by this masthead yesterday, Neser is the sole addition to Australia’s squad from the 13-man group picked for last month’s series against the West Indies.

Neser, who turns 34 next month, effectively comes in as the fifth frontline paceman in the squad, meaning he is unlikely to play across a two-Test series against the Black Caps beginning in Wellington and ending in Christchurch.

Michael Neser will join the Australian squad for the Test tour of New Zealand. Picture: Gareth Copley – ECB/ECB via Getty Images

But national selection chair George Bailey said the Queenslander – a perennial understudy for more than half a decade – deserved the chance to be selected after West Australian quick Lance Morris was ruled out of contention with a side strain.

“Michael Neser returns to the squad which is mostly unchanged from recent squads,” Bailey said.

“It’s great to see Michael Neser get another opportunity in the squad following his ever-consistent performances over a long period of time and the conditions we expect.

“As we know every Test match provides vital opportunities to obtain valuable WTC points and we expect this tour will be a tough challenge against a very strong side who have been so consistent at home for a long period of time.”

Australia’s revamped top six is set to remain unchanged despite a middling start against the Windies, while Matt Renshaw holds his position as spare batter even after a poor Sheffield Shield outing against Tasmania during the week.

ONE QUICK’S MISFORTUNE GIVES THE UNLUCIKEST A BREAK

– Ben Horne

It’s been said Michael Neser would have played 50 Tests if he was from New Zealand, but at least the unlucky Australian pro looks poised to tour there later this month.

Firebrand quick Lance ‘The Wild Thing’ Morris will be ruled out of Australia’s two Test tour of New Zealand on Friday due to a side strain suffered in Tuesday’s ODI.

The devastating blow opens the door for the ever-reliable understudy Neser to join a 14-man squad as one of two back-up seamers.

Michael Neser is poised to return to the Test squad. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Young guns Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson might come onto the radar for Test selection by the summer, but at the moment the old guard of Scott Boland, 34 and Neser, 33, still shape as Australia’s go-to men should injury befell any member of the ‘big three’ in New Zealand.

Wellington is a ground where Kiwi greats say you can often not tell the pitch from the outfield, and those kind of seaming conditions are the ones Boland and Neser are tailor-made for exploiting.

Had Neser come through in another era of Australian cricket, his effectiveness as a bowler and lower-order run-scorer could have made him a regular Test match star.

Instead he’s had to scrap for every opportunity in competition with perhaps the greatest fast bowling attack Australia has ever fielded.

Neser’s fellow Queenslander Matthew Renshaw is also expected to hold his place as Australia’s reserve batsman for the tour, despite making 2 and 2 in his two innings’ against Tasmania over recent days.

Renshaw of course didn’t play a Test against the West Indies and it is fair he be shown faith after selectors picked him ahead to support a batting line-up which will be under the spotlight in New Zealand.

Lance Morris was injured in Australia’s ODI win over West Indies in Canberra.

A less than convincing summer of run-scoring against Pakistan and the Windies means there is pressure on the top six, even if short-term changes are highly unlikely.

Steve Smith showed his credentials as an opening batsman in his stoic final innings in Australia’s shock loss to the Windies in Brisbane, while Cameron Green will be given every chance to cement himself at No.4.

But Green needs runs in New Zealand to firm up his place for next summer’s blockbuster five-Test series against India.

Renshaw’s versatility and ability to bat anywhere from No. 1 to 6 works heavily in his favour especially in the era of the concussion substitute.

It would take some serious disruption to Australia’s superstar bowling trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for Neser to be any chance of playing his third career Test in either Wellington or Christchurch.

However, Victorian hero Boland has been nursing a minor knee complaint in the lead-up to the tour and Neser is necessary should best-laid plans go awry.

Neser did not let Australia down on Test debut and was outstanding in his second and most recent Test against the Windies the previous summer.

The right-hander hasn’t actually had the best Sheffield Shield season with the ball, with just nine wickets from six matches at an average of 50, but he has made more runs with the bat than Renshaw.

In the Big Bash, Neser was instrumental in the Brisbane Heat winning the competition and he is regarded by former greats as one of the best pros in Australian cricket.

New Zealand has a shocking Test record against Australia, but the Land of the Long White Cloud is not an easy place for batsmen and Cummins’ team are in for a challenge.

Originally published as Australia v New Zealand Test series: Michael Neser recalled to replace injured Lance Morris