The Australia Cricket Team has been desperate to find a replacement for David Warner. After the southpaw retired, it was Steve Smith who moved up the order but failed. Instead now, Nathan McSweeney has made his Test debut for Australia. The 25-year-old top-order batter will be opening the innings with Usman Khawaja.
Ever since the retirement of David Warner, earlier this summer, Australia has found it hard to replace the southpaw. The Steve Smith gamble failed to play out. As a result, come the all-important Border Gavaskar Trophy, Smith decided to go down to his original number 4 spot.
New Opener found for Australia
And now, the confident and quick-firing Nathan McSweeney will make his debut for the Australia Cricket Team. Heading into the game, though the hosts have Travis Head, he would not be opening and rather would slot-in in the top order.
“We were 50-50, either way we are pretty happy. Feel well placed, pretty fresh. Any format we (India-Australia) play seems fiercely fought. Nathan McSweeney makes our debut at the top of the order,” Pat Cummins said during the Toss.
Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
