Ashes 2023: All the selection news ahead of the fourth test at Old Trafford
Fresh from a blistering county century, Michael Neser would have made a compelling Ashes argument with a haul of wickets, but it wasn’t to be.
Michael Neser missed a chance to make one final compelling statement with the ball as a tame Cardiff wicket neutered his output on the final day of Glamorgan’s County Championship match against Leicestershire.
A day after he blasted an unbeaten 176 for the Welsh side, Neser was restricted to figures of 1-36 from 11 overs as Leicestershire opener Rishi Patel made 179 to ensure a draw in what had been a rain-marred match at Sophia Gardens.
Neser had been released to play for his county side in a bid to get some match practice ahead of the final two Ashes Tests.
The Queenslander is due to rejoin the Australian squad in Manchester ahead of the fourth Test, which begins on Wednesday.
Former Australian paceman Michael Kasprowicz and ex-Test opening batter Greg Blewett have both advocated for Neser’s inclusion in the Aussie XI in the tail end of the series. The fifth Test at The Oval begins on July 27, just four days after the scheduled day five at Old Trafford, with the short turnaround potentially helping Neser’s case.
Josh Hazlewood is widely expected to return to the Australian side at the expense of Scott Boland for the Manchester clash after Boland went wicketless in Australia’s three-wicket defeat at Headingley, however there are a host of other question marks surrounding the composition of the Australian XI after Mitch Marsh’s stunning return to the Test arena in Leeds.
Having missed the third Test because of a hamstring complaint, Cameron Green was due to train on Friday in Manchester at an optional session as the Aussies begin to ramp up preparations for what they hope will be a series-clinching victory.
A perennial spare bowler in Australian Test squads, Neser has played two Tests, both in Adelaide, against England in late 2021 and the West Indies a year later.
Elsewhere Glenn Maxwell took 1-45 from 19 overs as Warwickshire secured an innings victory over Kent.
Blistering county form does Neser’s Ashes chances no harm
Michael Neser staked his claim for an Ashes recall with a whopping century in county cricket.
The bowling all-rounder had been released to play for Glamorgan during Australia’s time off between the third and fourth Tests, and has not wasted his opportunity.
Neser struck an unbeaten 176 for the Welsh side on Wednesday in its clash with Leicestershire.
He put on 123 in a ninth-wicket stand with fellow Queenslander Mitchell Swepson (69).
It was Neser’s second ton for the season.
The seamer has been a fringe member of the Aussie side for years, playing two Tests.
He has not bowled in the match, in which the first day was lost to rain.
The fourth Test begins in Manchester on Wednesday before a short turnaround to the fifth Test at The Oval. The narrow gap in the schedule could boost Neser’s chances of featuring at some stage.
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