Nathan McSweeney has emerged as the frontrunner to be Australia’s next opener following his performance in the game against India A. Pat Cummins & co. are desperately in search for David Warner’s replacement after the southpaw retired from Tests earlier this year. While the team experimented with Steve Smith in the top-order, Australia have decided to find a specialist opener for the IND vs AUS series that is scheduled to commence from November 22.
Australia close in picking Nathan McSweeney as next Test opener
Prior to Australia A’s first unofficial Test against India A, there were three contenders for the role of opener. While young Sam Konstas and Marcus Harris failed, it was Nathan McSweeney who starred with the bat, moving one step closer to cementing his spot in the Test side. With 39 and 88 run knocks in the 1st unofficial Test, McSweeney was arguably the best Australia A batter in the game.
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| Format | Mat | Runs | HS | Ave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FC | 33 | 2213 | 127* | 38.82 |
It is pertinent to be noted that McSweeney has never opened in his career in the Sheffield Shield. While the selectors have closed in on McSweeney as the next opener, it is expected that the selectors will give at least one more chance to Cameron Bancroft, Harris and Konstas to prove themselves in the 2nd unofficial Test before taking a call. The team for IND vs AUS 1st Test in Perth is expected to be announced in the coming days. McSweeney stands a strong chance of cementing his place in the XI even if he isn’t selected as the opener. Skipper Pat Cummins had even dropped a hint of the team wanting to experiment with Marnus Labuschagne to open along with Usman Khawaja. Should Nathan McSweeney become the next opener, it would be the first time since 1977 that a player has gone on to become the opener without having essayed the same role for his domestic side.
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