The Australian team’s final Test series of the current WTC cycle is scheduled to begin in Sri Lanka on January 29. Legendary hitter Steve Smith will captain the team in the two-match series in Galle, according to the squad that was revealed earlier this week.
One noteworthy addition to the team was Nathan McSweeney, who made a comeback. When McSweeney made his Test debut in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25, he played in the first three Test matches before being benched and replaced in the final two by Sam Konstas.
After being cut from the team, McSweeney has played a few key games for the Brisbane Heat in the BBL and appeared driven to get better following his dismal BGT stint. Throughout his three games for Australia, he sought to gain knowledge.
Naturally, it was good news following a somewhat hectic couple of months. The call was a little more pleasant than the previous one. I expect to get a lot of knowledge from my first three Test experiences, and if I get the chance to play there, I do really well,” McSweeney added.
Although it is yet unclear if McSweeney will have a chance to play in the series, former captain and chair of selectors George Bailey has commended the character he has displayed and the way he took the news that he was chosen to play in the series against Sri Lanka.
The way he handled it and talked about it publicly so quickly after it happened, and then immediately resumed performing for the Heat, “I think it shows the character that we’ve seen and the sort of person he is,” Bailey said.
For rank-turners in Sri Lanka, Nathan McSweeney was ready.
McSweeney hasn’t had enough experience playing on the subcontinent yet, but he had practiced at the MRF academy in India for a while and seemed to have figured out how to play in those challenging conditions.
“Playing spin in Australia must be very different from playing spin over in Sri Lanka, but I have prepared for and will be ready for it. Undoubtedly, it’s a great challenge.” I’ve developed a strategy in Australia that has helped me in my Shield career, but in order to be a successful player there, I’ll undoubtedly need to come up with a new one,” McSweeney stated.
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