SYDNEY — Nathan McSweeney is preparing to make his debut for the Australian cricket team as an opening batsman against India in the inaugural Test of the Border-Gavaskar series, which is set to take place in Perth later this month. The announcement was made on Sunday when he was included in a 13-player squad.
In an unexpected decision, selectors have brought England-born wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis into the mix, who will also serve as the captain for Australia in their upcoming third one-day international match against Pakistan.
Trevor Bailey, the chairman of selectors, initially excluded Inglis as a prospective opener; however, he has acknowledged that Inglis’ impressive recent performances warrant consideration for a specialist batting role.
As it stands, it is expected that McSweeney will partner with Usman Khawaja as the opening duo in the first Test scheduled for November 22 at Perth Stadium, after being chosen over competitors like Marcus Smith, Sam Konstas, and Cam Bancroft.
Bailey expressed confidence in McSweeney’s capabilities, stating, “Nathan has shown the qualities that suggest he will thrive in Test cricket, particularly given his remarkable recent track record in domestic competitions. His contributions for South Australia and Australia A were instrumental in our decision to give him this opportunity at the Test level.” He further added that “Josh has been in exceptional form in the Sheffield Shield and has rightfully earned his spot in the Test squad.”
The selection of Inglis as an extra batter is noteworthy, considering that Australia traditionally opts to include additional bowlers rather than employing a specialized wicketkeeper in Test matches.
Captain of South Australia, McSweeney secured his position through standout performances during the Australia A matches against India A over the past few weeks. Notably, his scores of 39 and an unbeaten 88 in their initial match led to his elevation to the opening role in the subsequent game, a first in his first-class career.
Inglis has also garnered attention for his stellar form with Western Australia in the Sheffield Shield this season, accumulating two centuries in as many matches at Perth.
Current wicketkeeper Alex Carey has proven himself as well, notching two centuries in the Sheffield Shield and leading the tournament with a total of 452 runs. He contributed significantly with a score of 98 in Australia’s last Test fixture against New Zealand in Christchurch.
Scott Boland has emerged as the additional fast bowler in the squad, providing support behind the trio of captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood after showcasing strong performances against India A.
The finalized squad for Australia includes: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, and Mitchell Starc.