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AAP
AAP
Steve Barrett

Neser is Australia's Woakes, says Usman Khawaja

Michael Neser's rich vein of form with bat and ball is earning high praise from teammates. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

Usman Khawaja has compared Michael Neser to England star Chris Woakes as the Queensland allrounder continues to press his claims for a Test call-up.

Neser's heroic second-innings 140 helped the Bulls stave off defeat and fight out a draw in their recently completed Sheffield Shield clash with NSW at the new Cricket Central ground at Sydney Olympic Park.

Neser's rich run with the bat, combined with his brilliant bowling, reminds Khawaja of Woakes, who starred in this year's thrilling Ashes.

Woakes took 19 wickets at 18.15 for the series, averages high 20s with both bat and ball in Tests and has batted No.6 for England.

"Michael Neser has been unbelievable for so many years," Khawaja said.

"A lot of people see him for the amazing bowler that he is but you see the allrounder he is - he bats No.7 for us.

"He's always been around the group with the Australian cricket team just for his bowling, but I think what he's offering with his batting, you've got a guy who can win you a lot of cricket games.

"He's got that 'Woakesy' type of thing where he can do both, it's really important to have.

"He's putting his hand up, definitely."

Neser's fifth first-class century on Saturday was also, remarkably, his third in as many matches after finishing a bumper County Championship campaign last English summer with scores of 176no and 123.

The 33-year-old plundered 487 runs at 81.16 for Glamorgan, after averaging 35.70 (bat) and 16.67 (ball) last season for Queensland.

Neser and wicketkeeper Jimmy Pierson (106) blunted the NSW attack for a 200-run partnership after coming together with the Bulls five wickets down in their second dig and still 179 runs in arrears.

Pierson, who led Queensland in runs (460) and tons (2) last summer, is making a compelling case to be considered Australia's next-in-line Test gloveman should injury befall incumbent Alex Carey.

"Jimmy's been scoring runs for us the last three years consistently," Khawaja said.

"He's obviously pushing his name up for Test selection.

"He was with us at the Ashes as a reserve, he's been doing all the right things, he's a great keeper and a leader of the team."

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