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NEW DELHI: Uncapped Nathan McSweeney on Sunday pipped his rivals to secure the vacant opener’s spot in the Australia side for the first Test against India in Perth.
As head selector George Bailey made the announcement of the 25-year-old being picked for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener and in all likeliness will be opening alongside Usman Khawaja, an elated McSweeney said that the feeling hasn’t sunk in yet.
McSweeney, who usually plays at number three for his state Queensland, revealed that Bailey gave him the news a day earlier and he is now eagerly awaiting for the start of the Test series.
“Yesterday after the game, George (Bailey) pulled me aside and gave me the news. Mum and Dad were straight on the phone, they were super happy,” McSweeney told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday.
“Hopefully they were very proud, and I can’t wait for the week to come.
“I’ve played a few Shield games at the WACA, a couple of T20s at (Perth Stadium) – no doubt the wicket bounces well, and I think it probably suits my game, growing up in Brisbane playing on wickets that are probably not too (dissimilar) to that.”
Since David Warner‘s retirement in January, there has been no firm contender to partner Khawaja at the top of the order in the blockbuster series starting on November 22. While Steve Smith initially stepped into the role, he failed to shine and will be reverting to his usual number four, behind Marnus Labuschagne.
McSweeney scored 14 and 25 in his two innings as an opener in the ‘A’ match against India in Melbourne but managed to pip in-form Marcus Harris for the opener’s slot.
“It still probably hasn’t quite sunk in yet. I’m getting a lot of nice messages … a lot of the boys have been on WhatsApp,” he said.
Aware of the fact that Khawaja is not a fan of facing first ball of the match, McSweeney said that he comfortable doing anything for the side.
“I’ve heard that Uzzie is not the biggest fan of (the first ball) … I faced the first ball in both innings out here, so I’m comfortable with that too, and I’ve already been told that by a couple of the boys.
“I just got a text from Travis Head saying, ‘I can give you my bat-pad pads’, so I’ll be straight under there as well I would’ve thought.”
McSweeney also highlighted the role of Australia no.3 Labuschagne and the help he provided him at the beginning of his career.
“That was a nice phone call to Marnus last night as well. He’s super chuffed for me, and I’m thankful for his knowledge and the way he’s helped me through the start of my career,” McSweeney said.
“I can’t wait to be in the same team as him, and hopefully spend some time in the middle together.
“He’s a great thinker, or a deep thinker, and (I’ve tried) to pick apart things that work for me and what doesn’t.
“At times I probably look similar, and I like to think I’ve got my own way of playing, but definitely using Marnus as a resource, that’s been very helpful for me.”
India have beaten Australia in their own backyard twice in the last two series and will be eyeing a hat-trick to secure a spot in the World Test Championship Final.
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