McSweeney no guarantee for MCG as selectors consider changes for Boxing Day Test

Nathan McSweeney’s place at the top of the order is up for debate as Australian selectors consider whether to switch to a more aggressive approach against Jasprit Bumrah on what is likely to be another bowler-friendly MCG pitch.

Teammates have assured McSweeney, who was handed his debut at the start of the series, that Test cricket will never get harder than facing Bumrah in seaming conditions, and believe he merits more time to make an impact.

But selectors must wrestle with the fact the 25-year-old is struggling even to hold his ground.

According to sources close to the team, speaking on the condition of anonymity, McSweeney’s spot in the XI is not guaranteed for Melbourne after passing 10 just once in six innings. Australia may opt for a more proactive approach at the top of the order given Bumrah has been able to dictate terms.

The question for the selectors is whether McSweeney can be relied on to throw more punches at the bowlers early on, or if it is better to reshuffle the batting order to redress the balance between defence and attack.

Josh Inglis, the spare batter in the squad for the first three Tests, has faced Bumrah before in white-ball matches and has a strong record as a counterattacking batter for Western Australia.

Nathan McSweeney walks off after being dismissed by Jasprit Bumrah in the first innings at Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images

McSweeney, whose strike rate is 34 in this series, is under the impression he will play at the MCG on Boxing Day.

“Personally, not ideal for me, but I think we played really well this Test and unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side,” McSweeney said in an interview to Nine News when asked about Australia’s draw in Brisbane after he made scores of nine and four. “Very much looking forward to Boxing Day.

“This whole summer has been a dream come true, and no doubt [I have] plenty of learning to do, and hopefully some more time in the middle to come.”

McSweeney is averaging 14.4 across three Tests in the series after being picked by selectors to open the batting with only one match of first-class experience doing so. He usually bats at No.3 or No.4 in Sheffield Shield for South Australia.

Nathan McSweeney. Credit: Getty Images

Victorian Marcus Harris and NSW young gun Sam Konstas were overlooked for the Indian series.

A squad for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests is expected to be unveiled on Friday afternoon, with the team to convene for training from Monday. Scott Boland is almost certain to come in for the injured Josh Hazlewood at the MCG.

All-rounder Beau Webster and Inglis are likely to be retained in the squad, with Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett also options to be included as back-up pace bowlers.

Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh, all more established members of the team, have also been below their best at points in this series.

Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood says he is hopeful of making Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka next month after picking up a “frustrating” calf injury at the Gabba.

Hazlewood bowled just six overs in India’s first innings before scans confirmed a calf tear that would keep him out of the series.

“That’s probably the goal,” Hazlewood told Seven News. “Just take it as it comes the next few weeks, no real rush to anything. Probably taking a few extra days here and there, and ticking things off and getting everything right.

“I ticked every box heading into the Test. I can understand if it was my side again, and I was a bit underdone, but this is sort of just a random calf strain. We’ll do a deep dive into it and see what we can come up with, but it feels pretty random.

“I’ve had little history of side and calf [injuries]. They’re probably the two things that have kept me out for the majority over the last four years.

“They’re only a little two, three-week injuries. It’s just the timing of it and missing big games. So that’s probably the frustrating thing.”

Hazlewood could make his return to cricket for the Sydney Sixers during the Big Bash before the Sri Lanka tour, provided he recovers in time.

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