Michael Neser is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and right-handed batter with vast experience across international and domestic cricket. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, Neser moved to Australia at a young age and has since represented Australia in both Test and ODI formats.
Neser made his Sheffield Shield debut for Queensland during the 2010-11 season and has gone on to become one of Australia’s most reliable domestic performers. His breakthrough campaign came in 2017-18, when he played a crucial role in Queensland’s Sheffield Shield title win and was also a pivotal part of the Adelaide Strikers side that won the Big Bash League in 2017-18. These performances earned him an ODI call-up and he made his debut against England at The Oval during a period of transition for Australian cricket following the 2018 sandpaper controversy.
Although Neser was a regular member of Australia’s Test squads from 2019-20 onwards, he earned his Baggy Green during the 2021-22 Ashes series at home. He featured in the Second Test in Adelaide, scoring a quickfire 35 and taking two wickets, before being omitted following the return of Pat Cummins. Neser was recalled for the 2022 home series against the West Indies when injuries sidelined Cummins and Josh Hazlewood. He claimed five wickets in the match, but again lost his place once the first-choice attack returned.
His moment of glory came in the recently concluded 2025-26 Ashes series, where he featured in three Tests (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) and took a 5-fer in the pink-ball Test in Brisbane. Neser finished the series with 15 wickets, while also contributing 131 valuable lower-order runs, underlining his all-round ability at the highest level.
In the county circuit, Neser’s consistency has been exceptional. He has taken 249 wickets in 117 Sheffield Shield matches, and 82 County Championship wickets during his stint with Glamorgan and Hampshire.
Between 2021 and 2023, he represented Glamorgan across the County Championship, Royal London One-Day Cup, and Vitality Blast.
Michael brings valuable runs alongside his quality with the ball - he will partner Kyle Abbott as one of our overseas players
Giles White, Director of Cricket
Neser joined Hampshire Hawks and the red-ball side in 2024, featuring in eight matches across the Vitality Blast and County Championship, where he claimed 13 wickets.
He has been a proven performer in T20 cricket as well, taking 145 wickets at an average of 23.9 from 124 appearances, and is a two-time Big Bash League winner, lifting the trophy with Adelaide Strikers (2017-18) and Brisbane Heat (2023-24).
Neser is set to return to Hampshire for the first six matches of the 2026 County Championship, bringing elite international experience, proven county pedigree, and valuable all-round quality to the squad.
