BGT 2024-25: "Your position's never safe" Nathan McSweeney reacts to snub from Australia squad for last two tests

Nathan McSweeney had only one score of more than 10 in three tests.

Nathan McSweeney has been left “devastated” by his omission from Australia’s squad for the last two tests of the BGT 2024-25.

While Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne fared as much worse as McSweeney in the first three tests against India, it is the 25-year-old who has been axed for 19-year-old New South Wales opener Sam Konstas, who is expected to open in the Boxing Day test at the MCG in the fourth test.

In six innings, McSweeney scored 72 runs. McSweeney’s best innings was a score of 39 in Australia’s first innings in Adelaide, where he batted for 109 balls. He survived the entire third session under lights against the pink ball on day 1, making it easier for Travis Head to hammer a century on day 2 in daylight.

However, none of his other five scores were more than 10. He struggled significantly against Jasprit Bumrah, who dismissed the young opener four times, and averaged less than four against him.

It is to be noted that McSweeney had never opened in first-class cricket until playing for Australia A against India A right before the start of the series.

The dream came true but didn’t quite work the way I wanted: Nathan McSweeney

Reacting to his snubbing from the test squad, McSweeney said his dream of playing test cricket came true but admitted it didn’t materialize as he wanted. However, he vows to work harder and be prepared the next time an opportunity arises.

“Yeah, I mean devastated, I get the dream come true and then didn’t quite work the way I wanted. But it’s all part of it and I’ll get my head down and get back in the nets and work really hard and hopefully be ready to go for the next opportunity,” McSweeney told Channel 7.

“It’s the game we’re in. If you don’t take an opportunity and you’re not performing as well as you want to, your position’s never safe. So I missed out a few times with the bat and unfortunately wasn’t able to take my opportunity but as I said I’ll work really to make sure that if the opportunity comes round again I’m definitely ready.”

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