Australia v Pakistan Second Test: Shane Warne favourite Mitch Swepson takes wicket on debut
Mitch Swepson couldn’t ask for much more from his Test debut - with runs, a run-out and of course some wickets. Now he has a chance to achieve something truly special.
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Mitchell Swepson’s first day at the office went well: an undefeated knock batting with Pat Cummins, a direct hit run out in the field and then the scalp of opposition captain Babar Azam to kickstart his bowling career.
Many have recorded better figures, but when you consider that Shane Warne took 1-150 on debut and the last wrist spinner to make his debut, Bryce McGain, had a ‘mare in Cape Town, Swepson will be pleased.
He finished with 2-32 and was pleased with the way things went when asked at the end of a day in which the Australians took 10-148 and earned themselves a 489 run lead.
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Things don’t get much better than that and there is every chance he will be part of the first Australian side to win a Test match in Karachi.
History beckons.
“It was nice to contribute to the team, get out there and get amongst it, it has been a long wait, two days in the shed, so I was keen to get out there,” Swepson said.
“I hit the ball ok and nice to get a run out out of the way and obviously the first wicket was a big monkey off the back so very happy with the day.”
Swepson said the two days watching the batsmen go about their business - they eventually compiled 9-556 - helped him on the third.
“I think it did, the morning of my cap presentation I definitely was a lot more nervous than I was on day two and day three, I think the fact that we batted well definitely eased me into the game and definitely helped ease those nerves,” he said.
Cummins threw him the ball just before lunch on the third day.
“There was a little bit of nerves there, but I’m at a point now where I’ve played so much cricket that standing at the top of the my mark is almost my happy place, it’s the place where I get so much enjoyment out of. Knowing I’m about to bowl for Australia is a really good feeling. Mixed emotions, a few nerves but happy ones as well,” he said.
“In my first couple of overs I missed my length a little bit, but just happy to get the ball in a decent are a few times, some spun out of the footmarks, some didn’t but I probably could have started a little bit better.”
The run out of opener Abdullah Shafique got the ball rolling for the team.
“After it all happened it was like I forgot what just happened, it all happened really quickly _ direct hit run outs are those ones where everything has to go perfectly, it just went straight into the hand and I let go and it hit the stumps,” he said.
“It was a great feeling to get a break through, those two openers were going well there. To have a run out next to my name in Test cricket is great.
“To be honest, after my first over I calmed down, but the run out got me going again. It got the blood flowing, so it had me a bit more wired again. It was a great feeling to know I’d contributed even if it wasn’t with my bowling
With eight wickets down it looked like he might go wicketless, but cricket had more in store for Swepson.
“I was happy, it was one of those ones where you let go of it, it comes out of the fingers really nicely, luckily enough he tried to really take it on and got that leading edge,” he said.
“It was exactly what you want when the ball comes out of your hands and when I looked straight back and saw who was standing there, I know Ussie has a great pair of hands, so I was glad he was at mid off. It was a great feeling, a great emotion.”
‘KEEP AN EYE ON THIS GUY’: SWEPSON FULFILS WARNE PROPHECY
It is only fitting Mitchell Swepson makes his debut in the second Test at Karachi which begins Saturday.
The wrist spinner, anointed five years earlier by Shane Warne, has been brought into the side at the expense of Josh Hazlewood.
The seamer is a victim of injury in the summer, but has been held out by a Karachi deck with a record as Pakistan’s most spin-friendly venue and one authorities have promised will make life uncomfortable for visitors unaccustomed to such.
Warne’s last Test in Pakistan was in the crowded, crazy, cricket-loving city on the Arabian sea in 1994.
He was enormous on and off the field in that match, fending off the malfeasance of Salim Malik in the hotel (see feature) and securing man of the match in a game Australia lost by a whisker.
Swepson said it was sad that the man who empowered to practice the difficult art of leg spin with total confidence would not be here to witness his debut.
Captain Pat Cummins confirmed on Friday that the 28-year-old was in the side is ready to go and that the whole team is delighted he has finally got his break.
“He’s pumped,” he said. “To be honest we’re all pumped for Sweppo. He’s spent a lot of time running drinks the last couple of years. He’s absolutely ready.
“I think the wicket here looks a little bit drier and historically a bit friendlier for the spinners. We think a wrist spinner of Sweppo’s quality gives us a balance and the best opportunity to take 20 wickets. Just think he’s ready. Joshy misses out. We still think reverse swing could be a factor in this game.”
Seen 2 balls from Swepson, lot to like. Nice energy through the crease & gives it a rip. Slip please, let's keep an eye on this guy #BBL05
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 10, 2016
Seen 2 balls from Swepson, lot to like. Nice energy through the crease & gives it a rip. Slip please, let's keep an eye on this guy #BBL05
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 10, 2016
Great to see young Swepson bowling well. I’m a huge fan of the young leggie & would like to see him on the plane to South Africa. Now a bit of Yasir - love it !!! Spin to win
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) January 2, 2018
Mitchell Starc’s left arm and ability to bowl searing reverse gave him the edge over Hazlewood who has been the most reliable of wing men for Cummins and Starc.
The move could see Cameron Green shoulder a little more workload, but the captain believes the 22 year-old all-rounder who can reverse the ball at 140kmh is up to the task.
Swepson emerged in 2017 and had outstanding years for Queensland in 2017-18 and 2020-21 but his first class career has been restricted by being domiciled at the Gabba where seamers are first choice in spite of Warne’s mantra that “if it seams it spins”.
He has been in the side’s waiting room for years, touring the world but never getting a chance to play. Such players get stranded in the no man’s land between the peloton and the lead XI.
Covid bubbles have exacerbated the situation, stopping squad members and 12th men being freed to fly home and play for their states.
“It’s been a long three years, COVID has been tough. I have been around this group a lot but not actually played a lot of cricket. I’m certainly itching to get a game that’s for sure. It’s been a long three year wait. I’m just glad to be a part of this group,” he said.
“I’m probably a bit shy on game time (because of the bubbles) but for me I’d never sacrifice being in this position. It’s been about trying to stay ready and try and bowl as well as I can in the nets and finding ways to improve.”
My Australian team for the 1st test against India in Pune
— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) February 22, 2017
Warner
Marsh S
Smith
Handscombe
Maxwell
Marsh
Wade
Starc
Swepson
Lyon
Hazlewood
Australia’s seamers were blunted by a dead wicket in the drawn Test at Rawalpindi which has incurred the wrath of politicians and the ICC who issued a statement on Thursday.
Match referee Ranjan Madugalle gave the deck for the first wicket a “below average” rating after 1187 runs were scored in five days for the loss of 14 wickets.
Swepson acknowled the impact Warne has had on his confidence and career.
“I’m grateful for all the little bits and pieces he offered up,” he said.
“In my first ever Big Bash game he sent out a tweet about my bowling and pretty much then on I knew he was a supporter of what I was doing, it was obviously great to have the greatest leg spinner of all time endorse my leggies, it was an unbelievable feeling.”
Swepson said he did not know Warne personally but the great had given him coaching sessions in the nets.
“He was very generous with his time, it’s a tragic loss for Australian cricket,” he said.
“I took a lot of things that he said from the mental side of the game, having that aura about you, even if things aren’t going well how to perform and how to still show that you feel on top of the game and obviously he was the best at that.
“He was so intimidating as a leg spinner, he was great in that sense, he helped me with a couple of technical things here and there, he suggested I slow my run up a little bit and that helped me become a little bit more consistent.”
SWEPSON TO DEBUT AS AUSSIES CONFIRM UNLUCKY QUICK
Mitchell Swepson, the wrist spinner endorsed by Shane Warne, will make his Test debut in Karachi where the late cricketer played his last and finest Test in Pakistan.
Josh Hazlewood is the seamer who has been sacrificed to make way for the 28-year-old — a blow for the quick who missed four of the five Ashes Test with the summer.
Swepson has been a squad member on and off since 2017 and said it was the encouragement of Warne which has inspired him.
Warne won man of the match here in 1994 after telling Salim Malik to “f*** off’ after the Pakistan captain offered he and Tim May $270,000 to throw the game on the last day.
The world’s greatest bowler liked what he saw from the start and pushed Australian selectors to pick him to be picked in the Test squad almost from the first time he laid eyes on him.
With the Karachi wicket dry and famous for its turn it seems Swepson’s debut is at hand.
Australia’s seamers were blunted by a dead wicket in the drawn Test at Rawalpindi which has incurred the wrath of politicians and the ICC who issued a statement on Thursday.
Karachi is expected to spin early and Australia could make major changes to the bowling line up.
Watch Australia’s Tour of Pakistan on Kayo. Every Test, ODI and T20 Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Try 14-Days Free Now >
On Thursday Swepson, the Brisbane wrist spinner who has been on the verge of selection for a few years, said it was tragic Warne won’t be around to see how his career goes.
“I’m grateful for all the little bits and pieces he offered up,” he said.
“In my first ever Big Bash game he sent out a tweet about my bowling and pretty much then on I knew he was a supporter of what I was doing, it was obviously great to have the greatest leg spinner of all time endorse my leggies, it was an unbelievable feeling.”
Swepson said he did not know Warne personally but the great had given him coaching sessions in the nets.
“He was very generous with his time, it’s a tragic loss for Australian cricket,” he said.
“I took a lot of things that he said from the mental side of the game, having that aura about you, even if things aren’t going well how to perform and how to still show that you feel on top of the game and obviously he was the best at that.
“He was so intimidating as a leg spinner, he was great in that sense, he helped me with a couple of technical things here and there, he suggested I slow my run up a little bit and that helped me become a little bit more consistent.”
Left arm finger spinner Ashton Agar is also in line for selection and is another of Warne’s disciples.
“First of all I just want to send a whole lot of love to his family. They’d be hurting so much right now,” he said. “I feel so much for them.
“I didn’t have a lot to do with Shane but when I debuted at Trent Bridge (2013) he came to Manchester and he did a bit of work with Michael Clarke and myself. Pup organised that and to be honest I wasn’t bowling well at all and I could feel that.
“He was so positive, so encouraging and pumping my tyres up massively. He made you feel something. He always made you feel something and he loved spin bowling so much and that passion rubbed off on me that day.
“Even when you feel like things aren’t going so well bowling-wise, still keeping yourself in the game and having some presence about you … that was so helpful and I could hear that when he spoke.
“Warnie was someone I looked up to as a kid. I loved watching him bowl. I had DVDs of him growing up. I reckon I’ve watched every single video on YouTube of him bowling and I’ve learnt a lot from him. He’s had such a big impact on so many people around the world. It’s something that will never be forgotten.”
Agar imitated Warne in the backyard and acknowledged the skill and courage it takes to bowl wrist spin.
“I never tried to bowl like him, maybe more in the backyard, but I have so much respect for leg-spinners,” he said.
“That is such a hard craft. For someone like Warnie to be as accurate as he was to never miss a spot whilst trying to rip a ball as hard as you can using your wrist is ridiculous. No one has been able to do that since. I guess that’s why he was the greatest at what he did. He was tactically brilliant as well. Leg-spin is really cool and he made it cooler.”
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