Bowling all-rounder Michael Neser is back in the Australian Test squad to tour New Zealand more than 12 months after his last Test.
The 33-year-old was the only addition to the recent Test squad which faced Pakistan and West Indies, with Lance Morris ruled out through injury.
Wellington will host the first Test commencing February 29, while the second will be in Christchurch starting March 8.
It will be the first time Australia has visited New Zealand for a Test series since 2016, where the green and gold won 2-0.
MORE: Full Australian Test squad to tour New Zealand
Will Michael Neser play for Australia in New Zealand Tests?
It's unlikely that Neser will play against New Zealand in the Tests unless there is an injury or significant drop in from a teammate.
The Queenslander is a bowling all-rounder, meaning he could get in the team as a lower order all-rounder, or as a frontline bowler.
However, he is clearly behind other players in the pecking order for getting picked in the best XI.
Who Is Neser in contention with to play against New Zealand?
Neser will likely be behind Mitch Marsh in the battle for the lower order all-rounder position, with the incumbent scoring three 50's against Pakistan.
However, Marsh struggled against West Indies and could be replaced by Neser if he bombs in the first Test against New Zealand.
In terms of being picked as a bowler, Neser will not get in the team ahead of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, and it's hard to see him going in for one of them, unless it is injury-related.
Do New Zealand conditions suit Michael Neser
With Neser being a seam bowler, it's important to note which bowlers were Australia picked in their last tour of New Zealand in 2016.
Two seamers in Chadd Sayers and Jackson Bird were selected with the belief they would be suited to New Zealand's pitches.
Sayers even admitted this was the main reason he was picked in the team.
"I'm never going to bowl 140, so if that was their criteria, I wasn't going to fit that," Sayers told reporters prior to the first Test in 2016.
"But they've picked for conditions, with Jackson Bird getting picked as well, same sort of bowler as me.
"They've picked for the New Zealand conditions ... I think a good ball to any batsman is a good ball."
Along with his ability to bat, this could be the reason why Neser has been selected in the squad.
Michael Neser Test record
Neser has played two Tests for Australia, which were both at Adelaide Oval (England - Dec 2021, West Indies - Dec 2022).
On debut against England, Neser took two wickets in the Test and made 38 runs across the two innings, with 35 in his first dig.
In his second Test against the Windies, Neser picked up five wickets and made only 18 in the first innings, his only at-bat for the match.
Australian Test squad for tour of New Zealand
- Pat Cummins (captain)
- Scott Boland
- Alex Carey
- Cameron Green
- Josh Hazlewood
- Travis Head
- Usman Khawaja
- Marnus Labuschagne
- Nathan Lyon
- Mitchell Marsh
- Michael Neser
- Matthew Renshaw
- Steve Smith
- Mitchell Starc
