Australia have decided to drop Nathan McSweeney from the squad for the Melbourne and Sydney Tests after his lackluster batting display against India in the first three games. McSweeney, who was selected in the hope of finding a long-term replacement for David Warner, was able to accumulate only 72 runs in six innings, struggling visibly against the Indian pacers. In his stead, the 19-year-old opener, Sam Konstas, has been added to the squad for the remaining two matches of the series.
But this makes one wonder if Australia are making panic decisions. After all, McSweeney only got to play three Test games, no less against a bowling lineup like India. When asked the same, the Australian chair of selectors, George Bailey said that they wanted to bring out their new weapons to keep the Indian bowlers at bay in any way possible. For the record, that does check a few boxes of a panic decision.
“[It was a] really hard decision for Nathan and one that we spent a lot of time deliberating over,” Bailey said after telling that he personally had to inform McSweeney of the decision.
“Particularly after a small sample size of three Tests… That’s never a great phone call, is it? Nathan was disappointed and really the message to him was much the same as at the start of the series, that we believe he has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level. But just given the way the series has played out, we just want the option of throwing something different at India for this next Test.”
Besides the New South Wales opener, Sam Konstas, Tasmanian all-rounder Beau Webster, who was added for the Adelaide Test after concerns rose regarding Mitchell Marsh’s fitness, has also been retained. Additionally, there is Josh Inglis, who was also not released from the squad, indicating that he remains in the plans for the next two Tests. This means even in a situation like this, Australia are spoilt for choices as far as their batting is concerned. However, the need to fill a specific spot will make the selectors’ work easier.
Konstas ended the recent edition of the Sheffield Shield as the second-highest run-getting opener, which, along with his century for the PM-XI’s game against Indians, earned him this call-up. Australian top-order, as a whole, has been very disappointing in all three Tests so far. With the series now taking a wild turn, the hosts will not want this dry patch to prolong. If Konstas gets added to the final XI, he will have a tough job to do, that too, against bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah.
Nevertheless, Bailey is excited to try to bring out the right combination with the resources he has at hand. Talking to the reporters, he said,
“First and foremost, [want to] acknowledge that it’s a tough call on Nathan, particularly after three Tests. We are constantly getting new information as you guys are… It’s clearly been a challenge at the top of the order for both teams. Think Sam’s method, his style, is different to Nathan’s, different again to Beau’s and Josh’s, as the other batting options within that team, and we think they provide the options of a different look and a different make-up for the XI come Boxing Day.”
Besides the batters, Jhye Richardson has joined the squad too, following Josh Hazlewood’s injury that sidelined him. However, with Scott Boland already present, he might have to wait a little longer to make a comeback.
Australia squad for the last two BGT Tests
Pat Cummins (capt), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Steven Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
