Swing king Fleming on board the Neser train
MICHAEL Neser has been backed for a strong Test career by one of the few genuine swing bowlers to have thrived for Australia in recent decades.
Damien Fleming, who claimed 75 Test wickets at 25.89 across his 20 matches from 1994 to 2001, has joined the chorus of fans pleading for
Gold Coast Dolphins star Neser to finally earn a shot in the national line-up.
South Africa-born Neser, 29, is 12th man in the ongoing first Test against Pakistan and also toured England without getting a start in the Ashes.
Aussie batting great Mike Hussey told the Bulletin earlier this week that Neser must wait for the right, swing-friendly conditions before breaking through a pace cartel of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood regarded as one of the best around.
“It would have been a great experience over in the Ashes tour,” Fleming said of Neser.
“He’s probably the most genuine swing bowler in this group.
“If he pitches the ball up he’s got a great outswinger and he bowls a very full length.
“I reckon he’s really improved in the last two or three years.
“I reckon he could do a fine job for the Aussies in Test cricket. He swings the ball both ways and he’s handy with the bat in the lower order.”
In good news for Neser’s hopes, Aussie coach Justin
Langer told ABC radio yesterday that, like in the Ashes, the pace battery would likely be rotated across the summer Tests against Pakistan and New Zealand.
“We’ll see how many overs the boys bowl in the second innings here (in Brisbane),” Langer said.
“We’re just really lucky we have such depth of talent.”