Test great Mike Hussey says looming day-night fixtures could be Michael Neser’s ticket to debut

AUSTRALIAN Test great Mike Hussey says Michael Neser can do no more in his Baggy Green pursuit but believes one factor could open the door for the Gold Coast Dolphins quick.

TEST great Mike Hussey says Michael Neser can do no more in his Baggy Green pursuit but believes Australia’s looming day-night outings could open the door for the Gold Coast Dolphins quick.

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Having previously gone unused in tours against Pakistan and England, Neser again looms as the unlucky fast bowler to miss out when Australia launches its two-Test battle with Pakistan at the Gabba on Thursday.

The 29-year-old swing king has arguably been in career-best form at the start of the new season, taking 15 wickets at an average of 20.20 in three Sheffield Shield games for Queensland before starring with match figures of 4-58 for Australia A against Pakistan in last week’s tour game in Perth.

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While that performance drew praise from Pakistan batsman Shan Masood, who described Neser as a “very skilful bowler” in the mould of South African Vernon Philander, he appears unlikely to unseat the established trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc in the first Test.

Michael Neser en route to match figures of 4-58 for Australia A against Pakistan in last week’s tour game in Perth. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

However, with day-night fixtures still to come against Pakistan in Adelaide from November 29 and New Zealand in Perth from December 12, Hussey said the swing-friendly conditions under lights could eventually see Neser’s persistence rewarded.

“Obviously I’ve watched a fair bit of him in the last few years and watched him improve. I think in the right conditions he’s a fantastic bowler,” Hussey, who scored 19 hundreds and averaged 51.52 across 79 Tests, said.

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“I’ve seen him with the Dukes ball a lot … he’s got incredible control and skill with his bowling, just being able to get the ball in the right area more than not. I know (coach) Justin Langer is a big fan of his.

“The guys that are in there at the moment, as well as James Pattinson, are world-class bowlers. (But) I think Justin Langer has shown that if the conditions are right, he’s willing to play the best bowler for those conditions.

“We saw that in the Ashes when Peter Siddle played in a couple of the Test matches ahead of Mitchell Starc. I would say Neser is in a similar mould to Peter Siddle.

“If the conditions are right then that may be his way in. There’s obviously two day-night Test matches this year and I would guess that his record in day-night Shield matches would be outstanding.”

Hussey said the South African-born pace ace had done all he could to push for a Test debut and encouraged him to stay patient.

“It’s a difficult line-up to break into but you never know with fast bowlers, there’s always injuries not too far away,” the 44-year-old said.

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“It must be really motivating for him to know he’s really close. He’s just got to keep himself fit, keep bowling well and hope an opportunity comes up.”

Hussey will be joined in the commentary box by one cricket fan at the Adelaide Test as part of the Hang With a Star competition raising money for the Women and Infants Research Foundation.

Every person who donates to the WIRF, of which Hussey is an ambassador, will go into the draw to win tickets to the Test on November 30 and a range of experiences, including the chance to join the former Australian batsman in the commentary box.

For more, visit hangwithastar.com.