Baby news behind Michael Neser’s sudden exit from Sheffield Shield match with Victoria

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The reason Australian Test star Michael Neser had to suddenly pull out of Queensland’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG has been revealed.

There was upheaval for Queensland ahead of the coin toss with bowler Mark Steketee withdrawn due to illness and Neser making an emergency trip back home for family reasons.

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The last-minute departure followed Neser’s shock mid-match withdrawal from a Shield clash with Tasmania only a few weeks ago.

At the time, Queensland Cricket said Neser’s availability for future matches was unclear and, he had requested privacy for his family.

Neser and Olivia McClintock at the Australian Cricket Awards earlier this year. Credit: Getty Images

It has now come to light that Neser’s partner Olivia McClintock has given birth to twins.

Neser, 33, recently told the ABC that the twins were due in December.

After he pulled out of the Shield clash with Victoria, freelance broadcaster and cricket commentator Adam White confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the twins had arrived early.

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“Michael Neser is now officially a father of twins,” White said

“His partner Olivia gave birth last night.

“That’s why he missed today’s Sheffield Shield game against Victoria at the MCG.”

Queensland Cricket confirmed that Neser had returned home to Brisbane.

Neser and McClintock already have a two-year-old child.

Queensland won the toss and the Bulls decided to bowl first, with Victoria batting their way to 4-201 on a slow first day on a tricky, green pitch.

Neser with his two-year-old at Lords in July. Credit: InstagramThe proud father’s family is growing. Credit: Instagram

Test contender Marcus Harris hit a patient, but important 73 in front of national selector Tony Dodemaide.

Coming off a century on a flat pitch at the Junction Oval against Tasmania last week, this knock, from 212 balls, was arguably better as it was made in tough conditions.

Harris, along with Cameron Bancroft, is in line to replace David Warner when the veteran opener bows out of Test cricket in January.

Fellow Test prospect Peter Handscomb hit 66 before falling caught behind to Jack Wildermuth.

The Vics’ run-rate is sitting at just above two-an-over and they will need to lift that significantly on Friday if they want to force a result in the four-day match.

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Losing Neser and Steketee ahead of the match was a blow.

Coming off two agonising defeats in a row, the Bulls are without arguably their two most important bowlers.

Former Western Australian bowler Liam Guthrie was brought into the Bulls’ team.

Guthrie claimed the key wicket of Will Pucovski, who has been below his prolific best since returning to the Shield side this season, for five.

With Test spinner Todd Murphy resting, left-arm bowler Doug Warren was handed a first-class debut for Victoria.

Warren was only recently signed as a rookie and the 22-year-old is yet to be given a Cricinfo profile, a sign when a cricketer fully cracks the professional ranks.

Queensland and Victoria sit in the bottom two spots on the table with each state only having won one game from their first four matches to start the season.

– With AAP