Queensland swing king Michael Neser working on adding other aspects to his bowling

CONCOCTING a plan to combat flat tracks and the old ball has become a focus for swing king Michael Neser as he continues his push for an Ashes baptism.

CONCOCTING a plan to combat flat tracks and the old ball has become a focus for swing king Michael Neser as he continues his push for an Ashes baptism.

Widely regarded as one of the country’s best swing bowlers, the Gold Coast Dolphins quick has been given a golden opportunity to remind selectors of his wares in the final four rounds of the Sheffield Shield.

With the English Dukes ball being used in the second half of the season, Neser could force his way into the Australian Test squad for August’s Ashes if he can fire for Queensland.

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The 28-year-old finished with figures of 2-64 yesterday in the first innings of the Bulls’ ongoing battle with Victoria, taking his season tally to 15 wickets at 32.4.

However, he remains eager to develop the other parts of his bowling arsenal after earning a spot in the touring party for the two-Test series against Pakistan on the flat pitches of the UAE late last year.

Michael Neser en route to figures of 2-64 against Victoria. Picture: AAP Image/George Salpigtidis

Neser’s perceived lack of penetration on batsman-friendly decks likely played a part in his omission from those fixtures but Bulls assistant coach and former Test quick Andy Bichel said it was an area that had been addressed.

“That’s something he was tested with going to Dubai on those flatter wickets, thinking about how he was going to go about (taking wickets) and not over-attacking,” Bichel, who has worked closely with Neser since joining the Bulls coaching staff in 2016, said.

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“You’ve got to get into a boring phase and put six balls on the spot. It’s that and having the right field, so it’s a different mindset but it’s something that he’s well and truly got the ability to do.

“He keeps going and he’s that sort of person who captains like in the team because they can throw him the ball and he always gives 100 per cent. It’s a real asset to him and I think that’s something JL (Australian coach Justin Langer) can see when he’s been in and around the group.”

Bulls assistant coach Andy Bichel. Picture: Justin Brierty

Swinging the ball, however, remained Neser’s bread and butter according to Bichel.

“Obviously his positions on the crease is something we work really hard on, and slowing his action down and getting in the right positions. It’s probably learning about his action as well – what is the best position for him to be in to maximise the swing?,” Bichel said.

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“We’re coming into the back end of the season and the Dukes ball is something he’s had lots of success with. Michael’s at his best when he’s swinging the ball away and it’s something he works really hard at and he’s got the ability to swing it both ways, especially with the Dukes ball.

“So he’s really looking forward to the back end of the season with the stacked-up Shield games.”