Nathan McSweeney still favoured to make Test squad despite Marcus Harris’ Australia A half-century

Nathan McSweeney is in the frame to be named in Australia’s Test squad to face India despite a late push from Marcus Harris to reignite his international career.

Australian selectors are set to name their first Test squad as soon as Saturday, with all signs pointing to a call-up for the uncapped Nathan McSweeney.

Victorian Marcus Harris posted a gritty 74 off 138 balls for Australia A on Friday to make a late case, and has the strong backing of former Test star Mike Hussey, but unless there is an 11th hour change of heart, it is unlikely to be enough to leapfrog McSweeney as the new Test opener.

Harris on Friday night said he had not yet learnt his fate.

“I don’t know. It’s a good question. I feel like I’ve been batting well, but so have lots of other people. So if I get called up, I feel like I’m ready to go. And if I don’t, then so be it. But probably I feel pretty well-equipped. I think maybe if I was in this position 12 months ago, I probably wouldn’t have been able to perform the way I have at the start of this season, like my results last year probably said that, so I’ve been proud of that,” Harris said.

Marcus Harris batting during the 2021 Boxing Day Test.

Harris celebrates reaching fifty for Australia A.

McSweeney made just 14 off 30 in his final audition before the squad is finalised at the end of the A game, but the fact selectors put him up to open for Australia A indicates they would be comfortable with the idea of him tackling the unfamiliar position in the cauldron of a first Test against India in Perth.

Before this match, McSweeney had posted scores of 55, 127 not out, 37, 72, 39 and a matchwinning 88 not out for Australia A in the first tour match — as well as a blistering one-day hundred for South Australia as well.

He did all this with the pressure of knowing he was being watched closely and the opportunity of a lifetime was at his fingertips.

Harris has certainly outstripped the other specialist opening contenders Sam Konstas and Cameron Bancroft, but Australian captain Pat Cummins has said repeatedly that he thinks batting orders are overrated and the best available top six should play.

Hussey said he believed Harris – without a ton in his 14 Tests to date – had been unfairly maligned.

“I feel for someone like Marcus Harris. Some people are saying, ‘well you know, he’s had his chance. He hasn’t really grabbed it’,” Hussey said.

“He’s played against India in Australian conditions when they have had gun bowling teams, he’s played against England in England, which is never easy, and actually done OK.

“He hasn’t set the world on fire, but he’s actually done OK. He hasn’t had any of those easier series where he can just bump the numbers up a little bit.

Jimmy Anderson grabs Harris’ wicket during the Aussie opener’s last Test.

“He’s someone that could definitely do the job as well. But you just don’t know how long (Usman) Khawaja is going to keep playing for.

“In that respect, if you’ve identified McSweeney as your long-term option you’ve got to give him a good run at it.”

At 25 years of age, McSweeney is younger than Harris by seven years and as Australia A captain is viewed as a natural leader.

Australia have always made it clear age is no barrier and they will simply pick the best batsman, but McSweeney’s age must be a bonus given without him, this would be the first Test team in history with every player aged over 30.

Selectors will also name a back-up batter and bowler in the first Test squad.

Nathan McSweeney missed out in the first innings at the MCG.

Scott Boland is the frontrunner to be the spare quick and Harris — who has been a travelling reserve before — said he would embrace the situation if he again had to carry the drinks.

“You never say no to being in a squad, and it’s always great to be around. So it would just be whatever happens, happens. Yeah, I’m not sure what they’re what they’re thinking is, with all that, I haven’t really paid much attention to it,” Harris said.

Australia A was bowled out for 223 on a rain-affected day two of the second clash with India A, who is on the brink of a second defeat inside a week after falling 5-73 in its second innings, leading by just 11.

Queensland paceman Michael Neser has flown home after scans confirmed a hamstring tear suffered on day one, having ripped through the Indians early.

Wicketkeeper Josh Inglis and in-form all-rounder Beau Webster would also be in the frame as reserves.

Originally published as Nathan McSweeney still favoured to make Test squad despite Marcus Harris’ Australia A half-century