Michael Neser has only appeared in a few games for the Australian team, despite going on multiple Test trips with them. In the game’s longest format, his final appearance was in December 2022.
After eight years, Australia is all prepared to travel to New Zealand for a Test series. The two-match Test series between the Trans-Tasman foes will start after the three-match T20I series is over.
Australia thoroughly humiliated New Zealand 3-0 at home in 2019–2020. After their startling eight-run loss to the West Indies in Brisbane last month, the Australian team may be a bit susceptible as the Kiwis attempt to recapture the Trans-Tasman Trophy.
Australia revealed their 14-man team for the two-match Test series against New Zealand on Friday, February 9. The team has selected Michael Neser and Scott Boland as backups for the illustrious pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and captain Pat Cummins.
Despite having nine wickets at an average of 50.33 in the Sheffield Shield this season, Michael Neser is thought to be the perfect bowler for the seamer-friendly conditions that will be present in New Zealand.
ESPNcricinfo quoted national selector George Bailey as saying, “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.”
It wouldn’t be too difficult to get them across if we were to look at a different kind of quick bowler: Bailey
Express pacer Lance Morris, meanwhile, had a side strain in the third one-day international against the West Indies. Chief selector George Bailey said that even if Morris had been OK, he would not have made the squad. The main explanation for this is that transporting a player there when needed won’t be too difficult because the upcoming tour is taking place in the neighboring nation.
“A different kind of quick bowler would be under consideration. Lance would have been in that situation because of the tour’s luxury of only being in New Zealand and its short duration. There are several players with specialized duties, so if we do need to send them across, it won’t be too difficult,” Bailey said.
After their victory over South Africa in the opening Test, New Zealand has surged to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) points standings. Australia, on the other hand, will try to regain the ground they lost to the West Indies.
“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,” Bailey stated.
Only 14 players have been named by Australia for the team, and players like Nathan Lyon and Alex Carey have not had like-for-like replacements. Nonetheless, given the short distance separating the two nations, a player might be deployed quickly in an emergency.
Australia’s New Zealand squad Tests: Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, and Travis Head
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