Neser inspired by English swing king

Australia A allrounder Michael Neser is taking cues off an Ashes rival as he attempts to swing in to Australia's Ashes squad.

Neser is England pushes his Ashes case with the Australia A squad, selected in part because of his ability to bend the ball both ways in the air.

The 29-year-old possesses a particularly devastating inswinger to right-handed batsmen and says he's drawn inspiration from England veteran and master swing bowler James Anderson. 

"I love watching Jimmy bowl," Neser told cricket.com.au in Derby on Monday before the squad travelled to Worcester for Tuesday's game at Kidderminster.

"He's a superstar but I guess he's the enemy now. I grew up watching him and loved what did.

"Jimmy Anderson does it (swing the ball) just from the wrist and that's when you disguise it well, if you don't have to change your technique much to bowl that ball. 

"That's when you start bowling the ideal ball, when your technique is fairly similar.

"I look at him a lot being a swing bowler. It's something I try to do myself. 

"Naturally you look at other players around the world who swing the ball and try to take tips off them."

In addition to Anderson, Neser said he also studies the way South Africa seam bowler Vernon Philander can work over top-class batsmen at medium pace, and revealed he attempted to copy the viper-like wrist of former Australia and Queensland quick Ryan Harris.

In two 50-over matches in the 'A' tour, Neser has taken the new ball and collected 2-103 from 19 overs.

His sole wicket against Derbyshire in Sunday was an unplayable away-swinger to left-hander Billy Godleman, who played down the wrong line and had his off-stump bent backwards.

Neser said he developed the inswinger through watching Anderson and using the same Dukes ball the England great has mastered.  

Closer to home, Neser said he has shaped his game on Queensland legend and World Cup winner Andy Bichel.

Bichel was Mr Reliable during his playing career and was one of the main contributors in Australia winning the 2003 World Cup in South Africa.

Against England in Port Elizabeth, Bichel claimed 7-20 and scored an invaluable unbeaten 34 to deliver Australia a memorable win, while his 64 against New Zealand gave his side a total to bowl to and his run out of Sri Lanka legend Aravinda de Silva in the semi-final all but secured his side a spot in the tournament decider.

It's a remarkable tale Neser has heard more than once.

"When doesn't he?" Neser said when asked if Bichel brings up his 2003 exploits. 

"He's probably told us that story a million times. I know it word for word now. He's a funny character. 

"'Bich' always helps me, whether it's with the ball or the bat, he's always giving his two cents and helping me a lot.  

"I loved what he did and kind of moulded my game on him."

Australia A tour of the UK

Get live scores and all the latest news from Australia A's tour of the UK on cricket.com.au and the CA Live app

Australia A one-day squad: Travis Head (c), Matthew Wade, Will Pucovski, Peter Handscomb, Mitch Marsh (vc), D'Arcy Short, Kurtis Patterson, Ashton Agar, Michael Neser, James Pattinson, Josh Hazlewood (vc), Sean Abbott, Andrew Tye

Australia A four-day squad: Tim Paine (c), Marcus Harris, Kurtis Patterson, Will Pucovski, Travis Head (vc), Peter Handscomb, Matthew Wade, Mitch Marsh, Michael Neser, Jon Holland, James Pattinson, Jackson Bird, Josh Hazlewood (vc), Chris Tremain

One-day fixtures:

June 20: Australia A beat Northamptonshire by six wickets

June 23: Australia A beat Derbyshire by seven wickets

June 25: Australia A v Worcestershire, Kidderminster CC

June 30: Australia A v Gloucestershire, Bristol

July 2: Australia A v Gloucestershire, Bristol

Four-day fixtures:

July 7-10: Australia A v Sussex, Arundel

July 13-16: Australia A v England Lions, Canterbury

July 23-26: Australia v Australia A, Hampshire