No captain’s call: Why convention will be bucked for opener decision in Australia A game

Cricket convention will be bucked in the Australia A series with the decision over who opens - and gets first crack at pushing their Test case - ripped from skipper Nathan McSweeney.

Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney says it will be up to national selectors to decide which of Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft and Sam Konstas gets bumped from an opening position for their respective Test auditions.

The trio of openers have all been named in the A squad to face India A in two four-day matches beginning on October 31 where they will vie to fill the spot at the top of the Aussie Test XI vacated by Steve Smith.

Cricket convention dictates that the captain sets the batting order from the selected XI, but McSweeney - named skipper for the A series - said he won’t be the one making the decision this time around.

“It definitely won’t be my call,” McSweeney told this masthead.

“I’m definitely just happy to be there and be told where I’m batting. And I‘m assuming those guys will be told the same. It definitely won’t be my call. I’m sure the selectors will have something in mind there, and it’s our job to just try and go out there and take the opportunity in terms of your game.”

Could a 19-year-old Sam Konstas make his Test debut this summer. Picture: Getty Images

Cameron Green’s back injury means Australia has a hole to fill in the top six, while selection chair George Bailey confirmed earlier this week that Smith would move down the order after requesting to end his stint as Test opener.

However Bailey did not guarantee that Smith would return to his No. 4 spot, nor that a specialist opener would be included in the XI, leaving the door ajar for another incumbent to open alongside Usman Khawaja and create a vacancy down the order for a player like Beau Webster, Aaron Hardie or McSweeney.

South Australian skipper McSweeney made 55 and 127 not out against NSW last week to help save the game for his side, and with six first-class tons to his name at just 25 is a prospective future Test player.

While he bats at No. 3 for SA, McSweeney was non-committal about whether he could open at a higher level.

Nathan McSweeney is captain of the Australia A side. Picture: Getty Images

“Sometimes you’re out there second ball the game. So in that sense, there’s probably not too much dissimilar to batting three and opening,” McSweeney said ahead of his departure to Brisbane for SA’s second Shield match of the season.

“All I can do is keep making runs at number three for South Australia, because that’s the best spot for me in that team, and that’s all I can really focus on. And I guess if I keep making runs for South Australia and South Australia is winning games, then I’ll be happy, and that’s all I can control. So hopefully I can keep doing that.”

While the A series will serve as a quasi-selection trial, McSweeney said winning would be a priority.

“We all ideally would be playing for Australia in the top team, but all we can do is try and put our best foot forward, and that is trying to win a game for Australia A. It’s a great honour and privilege for us to get that opportunity. So hopefully we can do put our best foot forward individually, but ultimately, hopefully win a game for Australia A.”

Originally published as No captain’s call: Why convention will be bucked for opener decision in Australia A game