The Sheffield Shield season has started off spectacularly for two-Test seamer Michael Neser, and a calf injury sustained at Hampshire may have helped.
In Tuesday’s Shield match between Queensland and Western Australia at the WACA Ground, Neser claimed the wickets of Cameron Bancroft and Jayden Goodwin in his first two balls en route to figures of 5-48.
The impressive performance is timely for Neser, who is still considered as a backup option for the five-Test series against India this summer even though he has not received a contract offer from Cricket Australia.
Neser has played a lot of cricket recently, but his trip abroad this off-season was less taxing due to a calf injury he sustained while at Hampshire.
The rest has shown to be a crucial remedy for Neser, both physically and psychologically.
“My season in the UK was shorter than mine. Neser stated, “I simply believed it would be the best thing for the body.”
Sadly, I also injured my calf. However, in all honesty, it was most likely a blessing in disguise.
“In the off-season, I didn’t play as much cricket and needed to work out to regain my strength.
“I played a lot of back-to-back county cricket seasons, and we had the Ashes the year before, so I probably played a lot of cricket in a 24-month period.
“I feel a little more refreshed after spending that brief time at home with the family, and I’m ready to go now.”
The three Australians who bat first in Test matches are still Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Pat Cummins.
Neser has only appeared in two Test matches, the most recent one being in Adelaide nearly two years ago against the West Indies.
Nevertheless, the 34-year-old all-round bowler is still very much in the picture for the Tests, even though he was shockingly ignored for a CA contract.
Neser knows that playing well in Shield cricket is the way to earn a Test recall during the series against India, which is something he would really like to happen.
Neser remarked, “I think all bowlers in the nation would say they’ve got their eye on that (the India series).
The only thing you can really do is post performances on the board. That I just (got five wickets) in my first game is convenient.
“Hopefully, I can maintain this pace for the duration of the season.”
Josh Inglis, the wicketkeeper for WA, increased his chances of success by smashing 122 off 117 balls, which helped the Warriors rally from Neser’s early onslaught.
Although Inglis is currently regarded as Australia’s preferred wicketkeeper in white-ball cricket, he still trails Alex Carey in Test matches.
If Inglis continues to be on fire and Carey struggles this summer, then things might change.
Not that Inglis is expending excessive energy contemplating it.
I don’t give that much thought. “I’ll let the big dogs handle that,” Inglis remarked.
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