Australia’s Nathan McSweeney bats during play on day one of the third cricket test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane, Australia, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher)
Nathan McSweeney who opened for Australia in the first three Tests said he has devastated by the decision to axe him for the remaining two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. McSweeney who made his debut at Perth has been dropped, with Sam Konstas set to play his maiden Test at the MCG on Thursday.
McSweeney, originally a middle-order batsman, was included in the Test squad after Australia were unable to zero-in on a reliable partner to Usman Khawaja. In the six inning he batted, McSweeney had scores of: 10,0, 39, 10*, 9 & 4 as Jasprit Bumrah repeatedly tested Australia’s batting line-up.
And eventually has been left out of the squad for the last two Tests as the batsman joined his Big Bash side Brisbane Heat for whom he scored an unbeaten 79 on Sunday. “Devastated. I get the dream come true and then didn’t quite work out the way I wanted,” the 25-year-old told 7NEWS.
“It’s all part of it and I’ll get my head down and get back in the nets and work really hard, and hopefully be ready to go for my next opportunity. It’s the game we are in. If you don’t take your opportunity, and you are not performing as well as you want to, your position’s never safe,” he added.
“I missed out a few times with the bat. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to take my opportunity but will work really hard to make sure, if the opportunity comes around again, I am definitely ready.”
Sweeney’s exclusion has already brought criticism with former captain Michael Clarke criticising the decision. “No matter who they picked in that opening position, they had to give him the series,” Clarke said on his Beyond23 podcast.
“I think the selectors have got this wrong. We’ve got Usman Khawaja who has just turned 38, (and) Uzzie has made no runs (63 runs at an average of 12.60 this series). What happens if Usman Khawaja in two Test matches retires?
Does McSweeney then come back in, or does he go to the back of the queue?” he said.
I’m Manas Ranjan Sahoo: Founder of “Webtirety Software”. I’m a Full-time Software Professional and an aspiring entrepreneur, dedicated to growing this platform as large as possible. I love to Write Blogs on Software, Mobile applications, Web Technology, eCommerce, SEO, and about My experience with Life.
