Nathan Mcsweeney ( Source – Getty Images/ Mark Metcalfe)
Nathan McSweeney is all set to debut for Australia during the impending Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 after Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that the right-handed batter will be opening the innings along with Usman Khawaja.
McSweeney is going to fill in for Cameron Green, who has been ruled out due to a stress fracture in his lumbar spine. The five-match Test series is important for both India and Australia as there are crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake. However, McSweeney showed no signs of flinching as he said that he is prepared to face the challenge head-on.
“I think I’m the best I’ve ever been prepared to take this opportunity,” the 25-year-old said in a recent interview with Sen Cricket.
McSweeney also acknowledged that he had not faced any bowler like Jasprit Bumrah during his career. He revealed that he has been watching Bumrah’s videos to get himself ready for the challenges ahead.
I’ll definitely dive a lot deeper into it when I get to Perth, but I can’t help myself. I’ve looked at a few clips of what they’re bowling attack stacks up like. I’m just trying to visualize how I’m going to go about it. Facing a new bowler can be a slight challenge to just pick up their action. Obviously, Bumrah’s got a unique action… it’s going to be hard to mimic that, that’s for sure,” the Brisbane-born stated.
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Nathan McSweeney explains his “simple” game plan
McSweeney has made it to the senior national team after putting in impressive performances in the domestic circuit, especially for Queensland and Australia A. However, he isn’t a specialist opener and adapting to the new role would be a challenge. The youngster, however, wants to do the basics right as he said that leaving the ball well and forcing the bowlers to bowl to him will be his strategy. He also hopes to cash in when the bowlers err in their lines and lengths.
“Being an opening batter, it’s making sure I’m leaving the ball well and making the bowlers are bowling to me. Then being ready and positive to score when they miss is as simple as I want to make it.”