Marsh, McSweeney: The six men waiting in wings for Australian Test team amid WTC fallout
Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis are close, but the door is open for more reinforcements to push their Test cases. BEN HORNE looks at the contenders for the Caribbean, with a recently scorned rookie closing in.
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Sam Konstas appears poised to be called into the Australian XI for the West Indies, and Josh Inglis is also pushing hard for a Test return following the poor loss in the WTC Final at Lord’s.
However, Steve Smith’s injury has raised the prospect of extra reinforcements being called into the squad for the Caribbean, with Pat Cummins declaring decisions will be made over the next 48 hours.
Here is a look at the six key candidates knocking on the door of the Australian squad and therefore entering the radar for the Ashes.
NATHAN McSWEENEY
The South Australian captain was dropped midway through the Border Gavaskar Trophy but that was largely as a circuit-breaker to try and overcome the freakish Jasprit Bumrah.
If there’s a vacancy at No.3 or No.4 then McSweeney would be far more suited to that than the attempt to turn him into a makeshift opener.
McSweeney’s presence on tour of Sri Lanka earlier this year was a pointer to the fact he was still seen as next cab off the rank.
Selectors love McSweeney’s character and he’s also an outstanding fieldsman, an attribute which would be dearly missed if Marnus Labuschagne was dropped in the Caribbean and Smith was unavailable.
KURTIS PATTERSON
Called up to the Australia A set-up, Patterson aged 32, cannot be ruled out of laying claim to a late-career rebirth in the vein of Chris Rogers, Adam Voges and Usman Khawaja.
Patterson made a hundred in the last of his two Tests back in 2019 before he was brutally axed for the Ashes tour of that year.
The NSW No.3 has gone to hell and back since but had a bumper Sheffield Shield season for the Blues with multiple big scores.
Patterson has even made two half centuries in his two matches of county cricket for Surrey.
The left-hander has a very reliable record of making starts against the new ball and has forged his long-term first-class career as a specialist No.3.
MITCHELL MARSH
Australian selectors were very clear on the fact that Marsh’s Test career was not over when with a heavy heart they dropped him for the Sydney Test for Beau Webster.
Marsh at his best has been a damaging Test batsman in recent years and with Beau Webster in the squad, the West Australian wouldn’t have to bowl if he was considered for a return.
It would be a bold call to consider Marsh as a top three batsman but he has filled that role in white ball cricket and England’s Baz Ballers are on their way to Australia so he certainly wouldn’t look out of place based on the modern criteria.
A great team man and glue in the dressing room.
JASON SANGHA
Made a hundred for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield final and at 25 years of age he is a player of the future.
Sangha has batted at No.4 for the SACAS and his record is improving since moving from NSW to South Australia.
Like Patterson, Sangha has been called into the Australia A set-up and selectors are watching him.
JAKE WEATHERALD
Also rewarded for a big Sheffield Shield season for Tasmania with selection for Australia A.
A specialist opener who has 12 first-class centuries from 70 odd matches which is not to be sneezed at.
Weatherald is a left-handed opener who looks to move the run-rate along and is playing in the position of greatest need for Australia.
MATT RENSHAW
Has had his chances in Test cricket but has yet to be able to push his case for a more permanent crack in the team.
Renshaw probably doesn’t have the runs on the board after a less than emphatic season for Queensland but at 29 years of age, this is the time for the one-time Test centurion to lift.
Originally published as Marsh, McSweeney: The six men waiting in wings for Australian Test team amid WTC fallout
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