Neser’s Shock Recall Lights Up a Dramatic Ashes Shake-Up
So here’s the big talking point from the Gabba right now — Australia have pulled off a genuine selection bombshell for the second Ashes Test, and Michael Neser suddenly finds himself right in the middle of the drama. What was expected to be a fairly straightforward team sheet has instead turned into one of the most surprising pre-match shake-ups we’ve seen this series.
The headline moment, of course, is Nathan Lyon being dropped again for a pink-ball Test. It’s a move that had been considered unlikely given the talk earlier in the summer, but the conditions in Brisbane and the timing of this day-night match seem to have pushed selectors in a different direction. With the pink ball expected to move late under lights — especially with most of the evening session being played in darkness because Queensland doesn’t observe daylight savings — Australia have turned to someone who has quietly become a specialist in this format. And that’s where Michael Neser walks in.
Neser hasn’t worn the Baggy Green for three years, but this recall has arrived right in front of his home fans at the Gabba, making it even sweeter. All three of his Test appearances have now come under lights, which tells you exactly why he was backed for this match. His ability to swing the pink ball, keep tight lines, and offer depth with the bat played a huge role in this call. In fact, his strong first-class batting record — nearly averaging 30 with five centuries — gives Australia exactly the kind of lower-order stability they’ve been missing with Pat Cummins still unavailable.
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Speaking of Cummins, his return from a lower-back injury has been pushed back again. He had been tracking well and was even considered a possible late inclusion, but the risk was judged too high. So Steve Smith continues as captain, something he confirmed calmly at the toss while noting how close Cummins really was.
There’s also another fresh face stepping in: Josh Inglis. With Usman Khawaja sidelined through injury, Inglis gets his first-ever home Test and his first Ashes appearance. Travis Head remains at the top of the order after that explosive start he produced in Perth, leaving Inglis to slot into the middle.
England, meanwhile, won the toss and chose to bat, hoping for the payoff later in the evening when bowling conditions are expected to improve. Will Jacks is their only change, strengthening their batting after the struggles in Perth.
Before play, a moment of silence was held to honour the late Robin Smith, with both teams wearing black armbands — a touching pause in an otherwise high-stakes day.
So yes, the story today is Neser — recalled, trusted, and now thrown into a match that suddenly carries a whole new layer of intrigue.
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