Watch: Michael Neser stretched an incredible hundred into a career-best score during a County Championship Division Two match in Cardiff.

Nearly two days were lost at Sophia Gardens to rain. Leicestershire captain Lewis Hill put Glamorgan in, and the hosts finished day two on 54-1.

Leicestershire opening bowlers Chris Wright (2-73) and Matt Salisbury (3-92) then reduced Glamorgan to 57-4 on the third morning. Tom Scriven (3-108) kept the pressure on, and the home team slipped to 93-7 when James Harris joined Michael Neser.

Neser has been in outstanding form this summer. He had completed a hat-trick against Yorkshire at Headingley; and made 90 against Leicestershire at Grace Road, 86 against Worcestershire at Cardiff, and, in the previous match, 123 against Sussex at Hove.

Playing for Queensland last October, Neser had come out at 220-6 against New South Wales and smashed 136, his career-best score until this round of the County Championship.

He surpassed that here. He added 128 with James Harris (47), 123 with compatriot Mitchell Swepson (69), and an unbeaten 59 with Jamie McIlroy (11 not out) before David Lloyd declared the Glamorgan innings closed, on 403-9.

Neser remained unbeaten on a 202-ball 176 that included 25 fours and two sixes. Leicestershire finished the day on 28-0.

Neser’s figures in the 2023 County Championship stand at 19 wickets at 25.63 and 487 runs at 81.16. With Scott Boland in indifferent form (2-231 in two Test matches), Josh Hazlewood’s fitness under constant scrutiny, and Nathan Lyon ruled out of the series, Australia need bowling backup.

Cam Green and Mitchell Marsh are both outstanding all-rounders, but if Australia want to boost their fast bowling, Neser may come in handy. In that case, his batting will be a bonus, and Australia may be able to field an XI without a genuine tail-ender.

Neser has played two Test matches so far, in the 2021/22 Ashes and in the 2022/23 Frank Worrell Trophy, both in Adelaide. His seven wickets have come at 16.71 apiece, while he also slogged his way to a 24-ball 35 on debut.

Watch Michael Neser slam his career-best hundred:

 

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