The next Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024–25) is anticipated to mark the debut of 25-year-old Nathan McSweeney, an uncapped cricket player for Australia. Beginning on November 22, Pat Cummins‘ team will meet Australia in the eagerly awaited series, with the first Test match taking place in Perth.
Prior to the series, there had been significant debates about who would bat first for Australia following Steve Smith’s transfer to the middle order. It is anticipated, nevertheless, that McSweeney may be playing the opening part. In the latest match between Australia A and India A at the MCG, McSweeney was elevated to the top of the order, which is noteworthy. McSweeney, 25, batted at No. 4 for Australia A and hit 39 and 88* in the two innings, but he will be rising to the top of the order for the tour match in an attempt to establish himself.
It’s interesting to note that Nathan McSweeney has never opened the innings in a domestic match.
Ricky Ponting, the former captain of Australia, recently took centre stage and stated that the 25-year-old was the obvious pick to open Australia’s innings alongside Usman Khawaja, the seasoned opener.
“If they were prepared to do it, they would have done it last year, so I don’t think they would go back to Chandler Bancroft or Marcus Harris. Therefore, the only name that comes to mind for me is Nathan McSweeney, a player for South Australia who was born in Queensland. According to Ponting, “he got the most out of any of those guys from the ‘A’ game in Australia right now,” the ICC Review reported.
He also has greater experience. He is currently leading Australia A, having previously led them. He continued, “I’m now leaning towards McSweeney for that opening role at the beginning of the Australian summer.”
Australia will play India in the BGT 2024–25 series, which will begin in Perth.
With the first Test starting on November 22, the ‘Baggy Greens’ are ready to go, and McSweeney is anticipated to begin. In light of this, Australia will be hoping that the 25-year-old can give his best performance in Perth, where he may make his international debut.
Also Read: ‘I hope Rohit & Virat get big runs, I fear they won’t’ – Michael Vaughan analyses India ahead of BGT 2024-25
Interestingly, both of the cricketing giants are competing for a WTC final qualification slot in the highly sought-after Border Gavaskar Test series.
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