Nathan McSweeney is part of Australia’s squad for the first Test against India.Credit:Chris Hopkins
Selection chair George Bailey argued that South Australia’s top order difficulties over the past few seasons meant that No.3 McSweeney was effectively an opener anyway,and brought numbers to the table to justify his case.
He has also been identified as a future leader – a significant factor in the selectors’ thinking now that Pat Cummins has indicated he will captain the Test side until 2027.
“He’s a player whose growth is on a great trajectory,a very organised,composed player at the crease who has a game that will suit Test cricket,” Bailey said outside the MCG on Sunday.
“In the 15 or so[Sheffield Shield] games he’s been batting for South Australia I think he’s been in before the 10th over about 20 times,so he’s had plenty of experience and I think his game and the way he plays,I don’t think the adjustment from three to opening will be too much.
“Marcus Harris is still in really good touch. We just think Nathan’s going really well. Whenever the information is first given it potentially feels hollow that they’ve been overlooked again. But it’s just to be really clear to them that by not being selected it isn’t us saying we don’t think you’re a good player,but we have to make a decision to fit that role best.”
Despite strong domestic records over the past two years,Harris and fellow opener Cameron Bancroft’s Test careers are now under a cloud given both are in their 30s.