Australia’s most promising batting talent Nathan McSweeney has been given an opening berth in the Australia A squad as they takes on India A in the second four-day game, starting from Thursday, November 7 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This decision was based on the selectors’ understanding to prepare McSweeney for the role of being one of the opening batter for the Test cricket five-match series the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy which will commence on November 22.
Will Nathan McSweeney Earn A Spot In Border-Gavaskar Trophy?
McSweeney, batting at number four in the first match while leading the side was quite impressive as he was top-scorer in the both innings. He has been promoted for the second unofficial Test to opening slot where he will again be seen opening for the team along with Marcus Harris. Sam Konstas will now move to number four in the batting order.
“As flagged prior to the series the batting order was subject to adjustment throughout the two-match series. Nathan McSweeney will open the batting and Sam Konstas will move to number 4,” Bailey was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au
“We will use the opportunity this week to gather our final information before the announcement of the Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series following the Australia A match,” he added.
Nathan McSweeney’s Explosive Form
The 25-year-old has been in exceptional form during the ongoing Sheffield Shield. He scored 291 runs, which had one century and two half-centuries to its credit, in just four innings at an impressive average of 97. McSweeney then contributed 39 runs in the first innings and an unbeaten 88 in the second, seeing his side through to a seven-wicket win after they successfully chased 226. In red-ball cricket thus far in the season, McSweeney has scored 541 runs at an average of 90.16. Till now, in his 32 first-class matches, he has scored 2,086 runs at an average of 37.25. In those, he has hit six centuries and 11 fifties. McSweeney has put himself in a great position to get into the Australian Test squad, and one is sure that he would continue his good run and stamp his authority in the playing XI for the upcoming India series.
Australia A Vs India A: Full Squads
Australia A will be playing their second unofficial Test against India A on Thursday, November 7.
Australia A Squad: Nathan McSweeney (c), Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, Jordan Buckingham, Scott Boland, Ollie Davies, Todd Murphy, Nathan McAndrew, Michael Neser, Fergus O’Neill, Sam Konstas, Jimmy Peirson, Corey Rocchiccioli, Josh Philippe, Beau Webster, Mark Steketee.
India A Squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Abhimanyu Easwaran (vc), KL Rahul, Devdutt Padikkal, Ishan Kishan (wk), Ricky Bhui, Baba Indrajith, Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Abishek Porel (wk), Mukesh Kumar, Khaleel Ahmed, Yash Dayal, Navdeep Saini, Tanush Kotian, Manav Suthar, Dhruv Jurel.
