Australia may just have unveiled Cummins’ successor

When a new Australian Test cricketer is unveiled, there are often plenty of heartwarming, homespun tales about dreams come true and backyard battles in childhood that helped to prepare the debutant for their first game.

One such remark from Nathan McSweeney, nicknamed “Buddha” for his cherubic childhood looks, struck that note on Sunday.

“It’s such a great side to be a part of,” he said. “Watching them play pretty much from when I was a kid in high school, to be a part of that team now, I’m just so lucky.”

Nathan McSweeney will make his Test debut against India.Credit: Chris Hopkins

But looking beyond the good vibes, those words spoke deeply for why, at 25 and 29, he and Josh Inglis were desperately needed injections of fresh blood into an ageing national team.

While the call to leave out Marcus Harris, in particular, was debatable, the selectors had to look at the Test squad in terms of regeneration as well as performance. And for future leadership as well as quality batting.

Steve Smith, Josh Hazlewood, Usman Khawaja, captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Marsh began their international careers in 2010 and 2011, all before McSweeney had turned 12.

Even the likes of Travis Head (2016), Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey (both 2018) got started when McSweeney was still a teenager making his way in Queensland.

One of McSweeney’s vivid memories from his Queensland days is from when he was 19, batting in the nets against Cummins, Hazlewood and Starc during a Brisbane training camp before the 2019 Ashes tour.

“I had Josh Hazlewood, Starc and Cummins all in a net session, and walked out of that feeling like I was about 4′11 and felt like the ball was like a golf ball coming down,” McSweeney recalled on Sunday. “I remember calling Dad and saying, ‘I’m not sure how anyone faces these guys.’ So hopefully, it’s a little bit different now, and I can hold my own.”

Nineteen is the age of Sam Konstas, the NSW prodigy who emerged from a couple of bruising Australia A games with his reputation enhanced by a sturdy last innings of the series to help take McSweeney’s team to a 2-0 win. McSweeney’s evolution from that uncertain early net session provides a reminder that Konstas has plenty of time on his side.

McSweeney was smart enough to see the need for an interstate move to South Australia in 2021, even if some in Queensland still lament the fact he was not far away from a regular spot with the Bulls. McSweeney has also been a good enough communicator and people person to earn captaincy roles through most of his career, including leading the Prime Minister’s XI and the Brisbane Heat to the BBL title last summer.

Josh Inglis will captain Australia’s white-ball sides.Credit: Getty Images

It was no accident that McSweeney and Josh Inglis were selected in the Test squad having been identified as leaders. Inglis captained the ODI team against Pakistan in Perth on Sunday and will also take on the Twenty20 role for three games immediately before the India Tests.

The fresh stock the selectors were looking for is not just for run-making and helping their vaunted bowling attack win a series. It is also to add more plausible captaincy candidates for the years beyond Cummins’ likely finish date in 2027. Top-class players though they are, neither Labuschagne nor Head appear likely to captain the side beyond that point.

For one thing, they share with Khawaja, Smith and Marsh a recent lack of big runs that compounds the team’s trouble with advancing years. McSweeney, notably, moulded much of his batting method to meet the demands of the bouncy Gabba track, meaning there is confidence he will be able to handle the steepling ball in Perth.

He has also taken plenty from Labuschagne’s method, and looks remarkably similar to the Test team’s No.3 when he gets into his batting stance.

“Growing up in Queensland, the style of play at the Gabba has probably dictated the way I play and probably the way he plays as well,” McSweeney said. “Talking a fair bit with him about the game, he’s a deep thinker and just trying to pick apart things that will work for me and what doesn’t.

“So at times it probably looks similar and I’ve got my way of playing, but definitely using Marnus as a resource that’s been very helpful for me.”

In the first innings for Australia A at the MCG, McSweeney edged a rising delivery in much the same way Labuschagne has often been out lately. The selectors must hope this is not the sign of things to come for a player who represents generational change.

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.