Image Credit- ICC
For their first eight T20 Blast matches of the season,
Hampshire has signed Australian seamer Michael Neser. In a few County
Championship games, he will also be available to cover for Kyle Abbott and
Mohammad Abbas.
Neser’s countryman Nathan Ellis led Hampshire’s attack
throughout their 2022 title drive and has been a revelation for the club over
the last two seasons. However, due to a conflict with the T20 World Cup, Giles
White, director of cricket, is more likely to turn to Neser, who is not part of
Australia’s T20 plans, this summer.
“Nathan had a very positive impact on the team
and we are confident that Michael will do the same,” White said. “He
adds quality across the disciplines and formats – he also comes with an
excellent reputation as a team-oriented player. He has good experience of
English conditions and hopefully he can hit the ground running.”
Neser, a Glamorgan player from the previous season,
grabbed 12 wickets in the Brisbane Heat’s Big Bash League victory earlier this
month. on addition, he had an impact on the field by making a number of
outstanding deep catches and by hitting a crucial 64 not out to help the Perth
Scorchers lose and go to the home qualifying final.
“I am very excited to have joined Hampshire Hawks
for this year’s Vitality Blast and can’t wait to join up with the squad,”
Neser said. “Utilita Bowl [Hampshire’s home] looks to be an amazing place
to play cricket and hopefully I can contribute to more success on the
pitch.”
BBC Solent reported that Neser will be replaced by
Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq for the second half of the Blast’s group stage,
following the T20 World Cup.