They had a new-look attack, with regular captain Pat Cummins failing to overcome a quad strain he picked up during the first Test, while quick Josh Hazlewood was ruled out with general soreness after West Indies batted for more than 200 overs across the two innings in Perth.
Neser has been in good form for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield, with 24 wickets at 14.5 in five matches during the ongoing domestic season.
In another parallel to last summer, former captain Smith takes the reins from Cummins like he did in the Ashes Test in Adelaide.
West Indies’ hopes of a series-levelling victory appear more difficult, having lost all three of their previous day-night Tests, the last of which came over four years ago. In contrast, pioneers Australia have mastered the pink ball with an unblemished record from ten matches, including six at the Adelaide Oval.
Australia: 1 David Warner, 2 Usman Khawaja, 3 Marnus Labuschagne, 4 Steven Smith (capt), 5 Travis Head, 6 Cameron Green, 7 Alex Carey (wk), 8 Michael Neser, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Nathan Lyon, 11 Scott Boland
West Indies: 1 Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), 2 Tagenarine Chanderpaul, 3 Shamarh Brooks, 4 Jermaine Blackwood, 5 Devon Thomas, 6 Jason Holder, 7 Joshua Da Silva (wk), 8 Roston Chase, 9 Alzarri Joseph, 10 Anderson Phillip, 11 Marquino Mindley