Michael Neser took five wickets in a timely reminder of the Test hopeful's talents as Australia A took a stranglehold of their tour match against England Lions
Match Report:
ScorecardNeser five-for sends timely Test reminder
Test aspirant Michael Neser has returned from injury to take five wickets as Australia A routed the England Lions, and then piled on the runs in Brisbane.
The Queensland paceman took 5-29 at Ian Healy Oval as the tourists managed just 103 on day two in reply to Australia A's 213.
The hosts were then 1-158 at stumps, boasting a lead of 268 with fellow Bulls talents Bryce Street (76) and Matthew Renshaw (34) unbeaten.
Bowling again after taking time off for the birth of his child and then suffering a hamstring injury last month, seemingly perennial 12th man Neser is part of Australia's squad for the Brisbane and Adelaide Tests.
He and in-form West Australian Jhye Richardson were overlooked for the Ashes opener, selectors backing Mitchell Starc to partner Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins.
The trio tore through England's line-up on day one at the Gabba, but Hazlewood bowled just eight overs - none in the final session - as England's batters turned the tables on Friday.
The second Test begins in Adelaide on Thursday.
"Hopefully; it's all I can do really, take wickets," Neser said of his hopes for a Test debut.
"It's good to be bowling again ... string a performance together and take wickets.
"It's all about timing isn't it; (Richardson's) done well and it's going to be a long summer so hopefully there's a spot for me somewhere."
Queensland's Mitchell Swepson, himself eyeing a Test debut later this summer if selectors opt to play two spinners, took 2-26.
Opener Henry Hunt made 40 in the second innings for Australia A.
Vodafone Men's Ashes
Squads
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Steve Smith (vc), Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner
England: Joe Root (c), James Anderson, Jonathan Bairstow, Dom Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Haseeb Hameed, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
Schedule
First Test: December 8-12, The Gabba
Second Test: December 16-20, Adelaide Oval
Third Test: December 26-30, MCG
Fourth Test: January 5-9, SCG
Fifth Test: January 14-18, TBC