BGT 2024-25: Nathan McSweeney dropped as Australia announce squad for last 2 tests against India

Nathan McSweeney scored 72 runs in three tests against India.

19-year-old New South Wales opener Sam Konstas has been handed his maiden call-up to Australia’s test squad as he replaces Nathan McSweeney for the last two BGT 2024-25 tests.

Konstas, a specialist opener, is expected to make his test debut in the upcoming fourth test in Melbourne, starting on December 26.

Nathan McSweeney, who is not a specialist opener but was put in the role on the back of his impressive first-class form, managed only 72 runs in three tests. His scores were 10, 0, 39, 10*, 9 and 4. McSweeney was dismissed four times by Jasprit Bumrah for only 15 runs.

His 39 in Australia’s first innings in Adelaide, though, was crucial in Australia’s win as he saw off the new pink ball.

Konstas has been in terrific form recently. He averages 42 in 11 first-class matches with two centuries, both of which came at the start of the current domestic season.

He hit a century against the Indians in Canberra in the warm-up match, then an 88 in the Sheffield Shield against Western Australia and followed it up with a 27-ball 56 on his BBL debut.

A notable innings he played recently was 73* against India A at the MCG, where he is expected to make his test debut.

Further, Australia have recalled speedster Jhye Richardson, whose last test match was in 2021, as Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the series although Scott Boland is likely to come in place of Hazlewood for the MCG test.

All-rounder Beau Webster has retained his place in the squad.

Australia squad for last two BGT tests:

Pat Cummins (C), 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

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