OUR TEST BOLTER
COAST QUICK EARNS PAKISTAN CALL-UP
GOLD Coast Dolphins quick Michael Neser is among five uncapped players included in Australia’s squad for a two-Test cricket series against Pakistan in the UAE next month.
South African-born Neser, who made his one-day international debut in June, is joined by fellow Test newcomers Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne and Brendan Doggett in the squad.
Veteran paceman Peter Siddle has been recalled and spinners Ashton Agar and Jon Holland are also in the 15-man squad announced yesterday.
The squad is without banned batsmen Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, and injured fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.
Queenslander Joe Burns and Victorians Glenn Maxwell and Peter Handscomb, who were in the XI for Australia’s most recent Test in Johannesburg in April, have been dropped.
Neser (pictured), 28, took 39 Sheffield Shield wickets at 21.84 last season and performed strongly on Australia A’s tour of India this month.
“(His selection) is well deserved, he’s been a seasoned pro,” Dolphins president Jeff Pfaff said.
“He’s been ever-present for Queensland for ages and he’s been brilliant for us as well as a captain and player. He’s worn his club colours with pride.
“He offers something else because he bats as well. He’s just such a great guy. He’s a very humble guy but he’s steely when he’s out on the pitch. Everyone’s over the moon for him.”
Chairman of selectors Trevor Hohns said Neser had presented an irresistible case for a call-up.
“Michael is a strong allround cricketer – he bowls and bats well, and is a mature player coming off a fantastic Sheffield Shield season for Queensland,” Hohns said.
“He has impressed us with his performances for Australia A and in his white-ball opportunities for Australia.”
Finch appears the frontrunner for an opening batting spot in the absence of Warner and Bancroft, with Matthew Renshaw also favoured for a top-order role.
The first Test begins on October 7 in Dubai, before the second Test in Abu Dhabi from October 16.