DOLPHIN’S DEBUT

NESER EYES PAKISTAN

GOLD Coast Dolphins quick Michael Neser has firmed for a Test debut against Pakistan on Sunday after impressing coach Justin Langer in this week’s tour match in Dubai.

While Neser, who is locked in a battle with veteran quick Peter Siddle to be Mitchell Starc’s new-ball partner, took just one wicket across two innings in the tour match against Pakistan A, Langer said the 28year-old had shown enough.

“(Neser) impressed us, he always does,” Langer said.

“He has a red-hot dig every time he plays and is brilliant around the team. Then (we have to) weigh up 211 Test wickets and a guy who is bowling really well and a veteran in Sids.”

Neser (pictured) looms as one of four debutants in the first Test, a path Australia has not taken in 40 years.

Marnus Labuschagne could earn a shock baggy green, with Langer assessing the match fitness of opener Matthew Renshaw and his bowling stocks in Australia’s first Test since March’s disastrous tour of South Africa.

Aaron Finch and Travis Head have been guaranteed their spots in the starting XI.

If all four play in the first of two Tests against Pakistan, it would represent the biggest changing of the guard since Rick Darling, Graeme Wood, Bruce Yardley and Ian Callen debuted against India in 1978.

Labuschagne’s chances depend largely on Queensland teammate Renshaw, who was struck in the head while fielding against Pakistan A.

He was substituted out of the game and replaced by Labuschagne, who scored an unbeaten 39. The 24-year-old was the second top run scorer in last summer’s Sheffield Shield – behind Renshaw.

The sickening head blow came after Renshaw suffered a hamstring injury in the Australia A tour of India last month and scored 0 and 19 in his only four-day match.

“(He) is physically fine,” Langer said. “The problem is he hasn’t played much cricket.”

If he doesn’t play, Usman Khawaja opened against Pakistan A in Dubai and Labuschagne batted at No.6.

Australia haven’t won a Test series in Asia since 2011 but will return to second in the world rankings if triumphant.

Jon Holland boosted his case for a Test recall as the second spinner alongside Nathan Lyon with 5-79.