Sheffield Shield 2025-26: Queensland isn’t hiding its reliance on Michael Neser amid injury toll

A string of injuries has hit the Bulls and challenged their bowling depth, despite being the only team to take down Victoria this Sheffield Shield season.

Neser was sensational in Queensland’s win over Victoria at the MCG and he was well-supported by Tom Straker who took seven wickets in a breakout match.

Jem Ryan also bowled well on debut while Hayden Kerr played a strong hand with both bat and ball.

But the Bulls are likely to be without Tom Whitney, Callum Vidler and Gurinder Sandhu for the remainder of the season through injury.

Queensland coach Johan Botha isn’t hiding away from the reliance on Neser and is willing to laugh at his side’s unfortunate luck.

“We’ve been very much challenged, we’ve got Whitney out now with a stress fracture in his foot, Gurinder is out for the season with a knee injury,” he said.

“Vidler is not ready yet, we’re going to have to rely on the guys who played in this game and hopefully a couple of others back in Brisbane.

“It’s been a challenge, I don’t know what it is, are we just the unluckiest team? We just can’t get guys on the park for two, three, four games in a row.

“We’re going to have to hope and pray Michael Neser doesn’t go anywhere and doesn’t get injured and these young guys can go with him.

“Kerry hasn’t played for us, he’s come to us from New South (Wales) and he did a good job for us in this game, I thought his batting was a crucial bit yesterday.

“...We’re pretty happy at the moment but we’re probably one or two injuries away from going back to club bowlers again.”

Straker claimed 3-43 and 4-32 to defeat the Vics by 36 runs at the MCG on Sunday.

The 20-year-old took the first three wickets of the fourth innings before returning to capture the important final scalp of Dylan Brasher.

Botha says Straker has bowled well without major reward and hopes it can be a building block towards a terrific career.

“Obviously very happy with the overall performance, to keep Victoria sort of in sight,” he said.

“They’ve been the top team this summer in Shield cricket, we’ve had to keep them close.

“Strakes has been good for us, he hasn’t quite picked up the big-wicket hauls in his first nine or 10 Shield games but I am glad he did today and during this game.

“We can see his quality and what he brings to the team and he’s been sort of chipping away at it.

“I am real happy for him he got what he deserved in his game and hopefully that will settle him down for the rest of his Shield career, I would hope.”

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