Queensland pacer Xavier Bartlett has downplayed his chances of a call-up to the Ashes squad but endorsed veteran teammate Michael Neser after the pair bowled well against Western Australia at the WACA on Wednesday.

With New South Wales quick Sean Abbott ruled out of the first Test against England with a hamstring injury earlier in the day, the door is open for a backup bowler in Perth.

And given Bartlett and Neser are already in WA, they could be the easy call for national selectors.

They both impressed on the second day against WA, bowling miserly spells on a wicket devoid of life as the home side slipped from 2-179 to 5-210.

Neser found seam with the new ball and Bartlett swing, with the former ending the day with figures of 1-37 and the latter 0-45.

While Bartlett ended the second

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