Hampshire Cricket Club has secured the services of Australian seamer Michael Neser for their first eight T20 Blast games of the upcoming season. Neser, who recently won the Big Bash League (BBL) with Brisbane Heat, will also provide cover for Kyle Abbott and Mohammad Abbas in a few County Championship fixtures.
Nathan Ellis, another Australian player, has been a key figure for Hampshire in the past two seasons, particularly during their victorious 2022 campaign. However, due to his commitments with the T20 World Cup, Ellis is unlikely to be available for Hampshire this summer. As a result, Hampshire’s director of cricket, Giles White, sought Neser as a replacement.
“Nathan had a very positive impact on the team, and we are confident that Michael will do the same,” White stated. “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, who previously played for Glamorgan, showcased his all-round skills in the BBL, taking 12 wickets for Brisbane Heat and making valuable contributions with the bat and in the field. His impressive performances in the BBL, coupled with his experience in English conditions, make him an exciting addition to Hampshire’s squad.
“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 expressed. “Utilita Bowl [Hampshire’s home ground] looks to be an amazing place to play cricket, and hopefully, I can contribute to more success on the pitch.”
Reports from BBC Solent suggest that Neser will be replaced by Afghanistan’s Naveen-ul-Haq for the second half of the T20 Blast’s group stage, following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup.
This signing adds depth and experience to Hampshire’s squad ahead of the upcoming season, as they aim to build on their recent successes in the T20 format.
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