Ashes 2021-22: Doug Bollinger Wants Michael Neser To Play In Place Of Josh Hazlewood In Adelaide

Former Australian pacer Doug Bollinger opined that all-rounder Michael Neser should replace Josh Hazlewood in the Adelaide Test. Hazlewood was ruled out of the second Test after suffering a side strain in the Brisbane Test.

West Australian pacer Jhye Richardson and Queensland’s Michael Neser are the contenders to replace Hazlewood in Adelaide.

Richardson, who has played a couple of Tests for Australia in 2019, is the second most wicket-taker bowler in the ongoing Sheffield Shield 2021-22 season with 23 scalps from four games.

Meanwhile, Neser, who is yet to make his international Test debut, has bagged a total of 130 wickets in both Sheffield Shield and County competitions since the 2018-19 season.

I’d love to see Michael Neser: Doug Bollinger

Bollinger, who played 12 Test matches for Australia, backed Nesser ahead of Richardson and Victorian pacer Scott Boland.

“I’d love to see Michael Neser. He thoroughly deserves it. He’s been very consistent for a few years now and he can bat… he has a (Sheffield) Shield hundred,” Bollinger said on SEN 1170 Mornings.

“It’s a great problem to have. We’ve still got other guys that can bowl as well. I’m chucking Scott Boland in there. Hits the wicket very hard… in his last Shield game he got a five-for,” he added.

Australia defeated England by nine wickets in Ashes opener

Hazlewood claimed three wickets in the first Test at the Gabba, including the big wicket of England skipper Joe Root for a nought in the first innings.

Australia won the Ashes opener in Brisbane by nine wickets and wrapped the game inside four days.

Australia were dominant in the first two days. First, they bundled up England for 147 with Cummins, leading the team in his first game, registered figures of 5/38.

On Day 2, riding on a breathtaking 100th century by Travis Head (152) with some great batting by David Warner (94) and Marnus Labushagne (74), Australia achieved a huge lead of 278.

In the second innings, England were bowled out for 297 with a minuscule lead of 19 runs, the hosts took just 5.1 overs to chase the score.

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22: Josh Hazlewood Is A Little Bit Sore So We’re Just Managing Him Through – Pat Cummins