Nathan McSweeney will take on the opening role for Australia in the first Test against India this month, while Josh Inglis has earned a surprising spot in Australia’s 13-man squad, announced Sunday. Following David Warner’s retirement in January, Australia has faced challenges finding a consistent opener to partner Usman Khawaja. While Steve Smith initially took on the role, his limited success led selectors to place him back at his usual number four position, with Marnus Labuschagne at three.
The 25-year-old South Australian captain McSweeney emerged as a strong candidate after an impressive domestic season start. His selection comes after a “bat-off” among contenders, including Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, and rising teenager Sam Konstas, during two recent Australia A matches against India A. In these red-ball clashes, McSweeney demonstrated his potential by scoring an unbeaten 88 in the first match at Mackay, showcasing his temperament and skill.
Promoted to open in the second match at the MCG, he made modest scores of 14 and 25. However, the selectors felt his initial form and overall readiness warranted an opportunity at the top. Chief selector George Bailey highlighted McSweeney’s ability and recent performances, both for South Australia and Australia A, as evidence of his preparedness for the Test arena.
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Travis Head is expected to slot in at five, while Mitchell Marsh will take on the all-rounder duties in the absence of Cameron Green, who is sidelined following spine surgery. Alex Carey will handle wicketkeeping duties, with Inglis included as a backup batter, chosen over Harris, Bancroft, and Konstas. Bailey commended Inglis’s impressive form in the Sheffield Shield, calling it well-earned recognition for his efforts, though he clarified that Inglis is not considered a Test opener.
The skipper is in! A massive congratulations to South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney on his selection into the Australian men’s Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
McSweeney is joined by fellow South Aussies Travis Head and Alex Carey, with the first Test… pic.twitter.com/9SwBlWX32U
— South Australia Cricket Teams (@SACricketTeams) November 9, 2024
Australia’s seasoned pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc will spearhead the bowling attack again, supported by veteran spinner Nathan Lyon, who will mark his 130th Test appearance in Perth, aiming to add to his 530 wickets. Scott Boland has been named as the backup fast bowler, with Michael Neser ruled out due to an injury sustained in the Australia A match in Mackay.
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The series opens in Perth on November 22, followed by a day-night Test in Adelaide. Subsequent matches in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney promise a fierce contest in this much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy clash.
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc
