Australia’s next Test opener announced as Usman Khawaja partner confirmed

Australian selectors are going to roll the dice and give Usman Khawaja a new opening partner for the First Test against India.

Australian selectors have announced Nathan McSweeney has been given the job of partnering Usman Khawaja at the top of the order for the First Test against India.

News Corp first reported selectors made a final decision to put McSweeney in the team for the summer opening Test at Optus Stadium in Perth, beginning November 22.

Josh Inglis has also been selected as the replacement batsman.

Victorian veteran Scott Boland was named as the reserve pace bowler in the squad, with little competition after injuries ruled out Michael Neser (hamstring) and Jordan Buckingham (side strain), and nationally contracted pair Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson yet to play a red-ball game this summer.

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That news has been confirmed in a statement from Cricket Australia.

“Nathan has displayed the attributes we believe will equip him well for Test cricket along with a strong recent record in domestic cricket,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said.

“His performances for South Australia and Australia A weighed in his favour and supports our view he is ready for the opportunity at Test level.

Australian batsmen Nathan McSweeney (L) and Sam Konstas (R) walk off. Photo by William WEST / AFP.

“Similarly, Josh has been in great touch in the Sheffield Shield competition and deserves his place in his first Test squad.

“Scott has been a top-level performer when given the opportunity at Test level and remains a valued member of the squad.

“The squad is balanced and provides Andrew and Pat the options required for what shapes as a captivating series.”

McSweeney was far from convincing with his score of 25 as he captained Australia A against India A at the MCG this week. He scored just 14 in the first innings.

The race to partner Khawaja had been wide open with rising star Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft all pushing for the job.

Usman Khawaja will have a new partner. Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

However, it is South Australian McSweeney that has impressed selectors the most.

The 25-year-old was promoted to the top of the order for the second Australia A match against India A this week in clear sign he was he preferred candidate.

Marsh and Travis Head will both be available for the series opener after missing the ODI series against Pakistan due to paternity leave, with Head to play his 50th Test match.

Injured all-rounder Cameron Green was the only absentee from Australia’s last Test XI that played against New Zealand in March, NCA NewsWire reports.

Harris’ second innings golden duck for Australia A at the MCG may have proved costly as Australia A topscorer McSweeney overtook him, while Bancroft’s horror form slump of 29 runs in eight innings made him virtually unpickable despite his dominance of the Sheffield Shield in recent years.

Australia A and South Australian captain Nathan McSweeney is poised to make his Test debut in Perth later this month. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

Konstas, 19, steered the A side to victory with an unbeaten 73 on Saturday, but did not do enough to convince the selectors he could overcome a lack of experience against an international bowling attack.

Australia squad for First Test:

Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c)

Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)

Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)

Josh Hazlewood (NSW/St George Cricket Club)

Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club) (vc)

Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)

Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club)

Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)

Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)

Mitchell Marsh (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)

Nathan McSweeney (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)

Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club) (vc)

Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)

— with NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Australia’s next Test opener announced as Usman Khawaja partner confirmed