Ashes 2025-26: 35-year-old Michael Neser claims his maiden Test fifer
What's the story
Australia clinched an emphatic eight-wicket victory over England in the second Ashes Test at The Gabba. The win was largely due to a stellar performance by the 35-year-old pacer Michael Neser, who took five wickets for 42 runs in the third innings. This was his first Test match in three years, and overall the third of his career. With this win, Australia have taken a commanding 2-0 lead in the series. Here we look at Neser's performance.
Key players
Neser's performance and Smith's catch
Neser's impressive bowling performance was complemented by a brilliant catch from Australian captain Steve Smith. The latter took a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Will Jacks for 41. This ended a 96-run stand with Ben Stokes (50) and triggered an England batting collapse. Neser later trapped Stokes as well. While Brydon Carse was the pacer's final victim, he had trapped Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope on Day 3. This fifer meant England were folded for 241 in their second innings.
Victory
Triumph for the Aussies
With England bowled out for 241, Australia required just 65 runs to win the match and take a 2-0 lead in the five-match Ashes series. They crossed the line with eight wickets in hands. Earlier in the game, England's first innings ended at 334/10 thanks to Joe Root's unbeaten 138. Mitchell Starc claimed six wickets. Australia finished at 511/10 in response as five of their batters scored fifties.
Stats
Six wickets on Test comeback for Neser
Neser claimed six wickets in his comeback Test as he recorded figures worth 5/42 and 1/43. The veteran now owns 13 wickets from three Tests at an average of 15.53. The one in Brisbane was his maiden fifer. Overall, this was his 13th five-wicket haul in FC cricket. The tally also includes 20 four-fers. Neser has raced to 419 wickets across 117 games in the format at 23.60.