McSweeney, the top run-getter with 166 runs from four innings in the recently-concluded series versus India A has been called up to fill the opening void in the Australian Test team. The 25-year-old impressed with 39 and 88* numbers in the first unofficial Test against India A at Mackay while batting at No. 4 before being promoted to the top at the MCG. Although he fell for 14 in the first innings, McSweeney faced 69 balls against the Indian new ball attack that removed Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft for a golden duck.
Following David Warner’s at SCG last year, Australia experimented with Steve Smith at the top with Usman Khawaja but the ploy didn’t quite yield positive results. Smith would be dropped back to his original middle-order position leaving a void at the top, likely to be filled by McSweeney in the forthcoming series.
However, it is worth noting that Josh Inglis has been summoned to the 13-man squad with Scott Boland being the only backup pacer to the triumvirate of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Cummins. The wicketkeeper-batter has been going through a purple patch with two centuries at Perth in the ongoing domestic season. With Inglis being on red-hot form, it won’t be surprising if he makes his debut in the first Test at Perth.
The Aussies are likely to commence their training on November 17 but Inglis might join them late as he is leading the three-match T20I series against Pakistan that ends on the 18th.
Australia squad (first Test): Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Starc
