Michael Neser has been recalled for the upcoming Test tour of New Zealand, with Cricket Australia unveiling a 14-player squad for the two-match campaign on Friday morning.
The Queensland all-rounder, who most recently represented Australia’s Test side in 2022, joins Victoria’s Scott Boland as the reserve fast bowlers for the two-week trip across the Tasman.
Neser was the Player of the Sheffield Shield last season after taking 40 wickets at 16.67 and scoring 357 runs at 35.70. The 33-year-old’s returns this summer have been less impressive, snaring nine scalps at 50.33, but Friday’s announcement has revived hopes of adding to his two Test caps.
“Michael Neser returns to the squad which is mostly unchanged from recent squads,” chair of selectors George Bailey said in a statement.
“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.”
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Earlier this week, West Australian quick Lance Morris suffered a side strain during the third ODI against the West Indies in Canberra, putting him under an injury cloud ahead of the New Zealand tour.
Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson, who turned heads during this summer’s Big Bash League campaign with the Brisbane Heat, missed out on selection, while West Australian opener Cameron Bancroft has once again been snubbed despite being the Sheffield Shield’s leading run-scorer over the past 18 months.
Queensland’s Matthew Renshaw, capable of batting anywhere in the top six, has once again been named as the reserve batter.
The first Test between New Zealand and Australia gets underway at Wellington’s Basin Reserve on Thursday, February 29.
Australia’s Test squad for New Zealand
Pat Cummins (c)
Scott Boland
Alex Carey
Cameron Green
Josh Hazlewood
Travis Head
Usman Khawaja
Marnus Labuschagne
Nathan Lyon
Mitchell Marsh
Michael Neser
Matthew Renshaw
Steve Smith
Mitchell Starc