Nathan McSweeney set to debut as Australia names Perth Test squad

Days away from the first Test scheduled at Perth, the home side, Australia, announced a 13-member squad for the series opener of Border Gavaskar Trophy. Hosting India for the five-match series, Australia has the task of reclaiming the trophy, which has not been with them for a decade now. While Australia emerged as champions at the 2023 WTC Final against India, the Kangaroos have lost the BGT twice at home since their last victory in 2014. For the upcoming edition, the Pat Cummins-led team was on the hunt for an opener following the retirement of David Warner. Australia’s search has ended with Nathan McSweeney. The batter, who led Australia A to consecutive victories against India A, has been greenlit by the Australian management to open alongside Usman Khawaja in the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Nathan McSweeeney, Josh Inglish earn maiden Test call-up as Australia announce squad for Perth Test

Nathan McSweeney and Josh Inglis have earned their maiden call-ups to the Australian team, with McSweeney likely to debut in the Perth Test. Apart from these two picks, Australia has kept the squad as expected, playing to their strengths. Skipper Pat Cummins will lead the pace lineup, which further includes Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland. For the spin attack, the Kangaroos have placed their trust in the specialist Nathan Lyon. While Inglis has been named in the squad, Alex Carey continues to be the first-choice wicketkeeper in the team.

Unlike Inglis, McSweeney will not face any uncertainty over his inclusion in Australia’s starting Playing XI. Despite the batter’s meek performance with the bat against India A recently, Nathan outpaced the likes of Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, and Sam Konstas to be named in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy squad. The selection is not solely based on the Australia A vs India A Tests. In fact, the unofficial clash was McSweeney’s first time taking up the opening role. Earlier, he impressed with scores of 39 and an unbeaten 88 while batting at No. 4 in the first match of the series in Mackay, prompting selectors to promote him up the order for the MCG clash. Josh Inglis, on the other hand, strengthened his case with back-to-back centuries in the Sheffield Shield this season and is also poised for a potential Test debut.

Australia squad for Perth Test: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc