Nathan McSweeney Archives

Nathan McSweeney opens up on ‘chaos’ of facing Jasprit Bumrah

Australia’s young batter Nathan McSweeney has reflected on the immense challenge of facing India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

McSweeney, who was included in Australia’s Test squad and tasked with opening the innings alongside Usman Khawaja following David Warner’s retirement, struggled to make an impact in the series.

He managed just 72 runs in six innings at an average of 14.40, finding himself at the receiving end of Bumrah’s relentless bowling. The Indian pacer dismissed him four times in five innings, leading to McSweeney being dropped for the final two matches.

Speaking to an Australian media outlet, the right-hander admitted that facing Bumrah was far more difficult than he had anticipated.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

“Yeah, tough work is probably an understatement. He [Jasprit Bumrah] is an incredible bowler. I was probably naïve going into it, never faced him before and (thinking) he’ll be fine,” Nathan McSweeney said.

“But he’s an incredible bowler with great skill and a relentless ability to pitch the ball exactly where you don’t want as a batter.”

Despite his struggles, the 25-year-old found some solace in the fact that he wasn’t alone in his battle against Bumrah, who troubled even the most experienced Australian batters.

“It was a very tough challenge, but it also gave me hope that no one had great success against him. Everyone was trying to tackle him at the same time, and no one was playing him with ease, which gave me a little bit of confidence,” he added.

It is worth noting that Australia bounced back from a 1-0 deficit to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 3-1, securing a historic comeback victory after losing the opening Test.

READ: Saud Shakeel stars as Karachi Whites start National T20 Cup campaign on winning note

Nathan McSweeney dropped from Australia squad for fourth India Test

Cricket Australia (CA) has included uncapped teenager Sam Konstas in the squad for the fourth Test against India, replacing opening batter Nathan McSweeney on Friday.

Fast bowler Jhye Richardson was also included in the 15-man lineup to give the team more options with Josh Hazlewood sidelined by a right calf injury.

The two sides are locked at 1-1 in the five-Test series with India needing one more win to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

McSweeney had played in all three Tests so far after winning the race to replace the retired David Warner at the top of the order alongside Usman Khawaja.

But the 25-year-old, who is not a specialist opener, struggled to assert himself, particularly against Indian spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. His highest score was 39 and he was dismissed for nine and four in the third Test at Brisbane.

In contrast, 19-year-old Sam Konstas has been in sizzling domestic form with calls mounting to bring him into the international fold.

Earlier this season, he became the youngest player since Ricky Ponting to score two centuries in the same Sheffield Shield match. He also slammed a century playing for the Prime Minister’s XI against India.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

His inclusion does not necessarily mean he will play, with reserve batsman Josh Inglis also a potential opening partner for Khawaja.

“Sam gets a call up to the Test squad for the first time. His style of batting offers a point of difference and we look forward to watching his game develop further,” said chief selector George Bailey.

“We remain confident Nathan [McSweeney] has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level in the future. It was a difficult decision to leave him out.

“It has clearly been a challenge at the top of the order for batters throughout the series and we want to provide the option of a different lineup for the next two matches.”

Despite Richardson returning to the squad after a wretched run with injuries, Scott Boland is widely expected to replace Hazlewood in the starting XI alongside fellow quicks Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc.

“In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, Jhye provides further options in the fast bowling space,” said Bailey. “It has been pleasing to see his successful return throughout the early part of the domestic summer.”

Australia squad for the fourth Test against India: Pat Cummins (capt), Travis Head, Steve Smith, Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster

READ: Champions Trophy: Javed Miandad opens up on ICC’s ‘hybrid model’ decision

Nathan McSweeney doesn’t need to play like David Warner: Pat Cummins

Australia captain Pat Cummins on Thursday urged new opener Nathan McSweeney not to try and emulate swashbuckling David Warner, while admitting his team had unfinished business with India.

The uncapped McSweeney will make his Test debut in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener at Perth Stadium on Friday, parachuted in at the top of the order alongside Usman Khawaja after Warner’s retirement this year.

He has big shoes to fill and goes into the game having only opened once before at first-class level, in a warm-up Australia A match this month.

Cummins said he must be himself when he fronts a world-class Indian attack spearheaded by Jasprit Bumrah on what is expected to be a fiery pitch.

“Davey [David Warner] is very hard to replace in many ways, but I think the most important thing for someone like Nath [Nathan McSweeney] coming in is to play his own game,” he said. “He doesn’t need to strike at 80 like Davey did if that’s not his game.”

Other than McSweeney, Australia has a settled side which is on a mission to win their first Test series against India in almost a decade.

Only Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon and Steve Smith remain from the squad that last won in Australia back in 2014-15.

Follow us on our Official WhatsApp channel

Since then they have slumped to four straight Border-Gavaskar series losses, including two at home.

“It’s kind of one of the last things to tick off for a lot of us,” Cummins told reporters of beating their big rival. “Almost every challenge that we’ve had thrown with us over the last few years we’ve stepped up and done well.”

“To do that for another year, another home summer, would kind of cement this.”

While Australia will go into the first of five Tests with their starting XI locked in, India is set for a shake-up after their devastating 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand.

Rohit Sharma will likely miss the match following the birth of his second child, with Bumrah assuming the captaincy.

Number three Shubman Gill is in doubt with an injured thumb, while the bowling line-up behind Bumrah is yet to be decided. Nevertheless, Cummins is under no illusions about the task ahead.

“There will always be pressure when you are playing at home,” he said. “We’re all excited, we know India are right up there with the best teams.”

“They are missing a couple of guys we are more familiar with, but we know that whoever they pick they will obviously think are good enough for Test cricket.”

READ: Aaqib Javed opens up on Fakhar Zaman’s potential comeback