Who is Nathan McSweeney? All you need to know about Australia's potential debutant against India in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Nathan McSweeney could open for Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

Nathan McSweeney’s name has been thrown up among the contenders to become Usman Khawaja’s opening partner come the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 test match on November 22 in Perth.

With Steve Smith set to move back to the No. 4 spot after a largely unsuccessful stint as a test opener, the Australian selectors and management have been left with the task of finding an opening partner for Khwaja once again. David Warner’s retirement left a big hole which Smith was unable to fill.

Cameron Green has been ruled out of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 due to back surgery, so he’s out of contention. Shuffling in the already settled batting order may not be a wise idea – especially after Smith’s failures at the top – so Australia are unlikely to shift Travis Head, Marnus Labuschange, or Mitchell Marsh out of their set positions.

Apart from the first-choice players, among the options they have are Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, the uncapped Sam Konstas, and Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney. All four of them have done well in domestic cricket and have good cases for selection for the India series.

Bancroft and Harris are set to open for Australia A against India A in the first of the two four-day matches they will play. With McSweeney set to lead them, Konstas might have to start on the bench for now.

Bancroft and Harris have previously played test cricket but they couldn’t do much of note. McSweeney’s name has been championed by many. Though he bats at No. 3 for South Australia, the 25-year-old says batting at No. 3 is very similar to opening as you are often facing the new ball.

“I think I’m playing probably the best cricket I have, batting No. 3 for South Australia, and pretty much my whole career,” McSweeney said, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

“It’s not too dissimilar to opening. I feel like you can be in there the first over of the game. All my preparation is with the new ball, so I feel like my game’s ready.

“Hopefully I can get an opportunity. If not, I’ll keep trying to get better. What will be, will be.”

Nathan McSweeney’s first-class stats:

In 32 first-class matches, McSweeney has amassed 2086 runs at an average of 37, hitting six centuries and 11 half-centuries. He has been in good form in recent times.

He’s started the Sheffield Shield 2024/25 season with scores of 55, 127 not out, 37 and 72. He had a breakthrough 2023/24 season, where he finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer, scoring 762 runs at an average of 40 with three centuries in what were tough batting conditions.

He has already been touted as a future Australia captain. McSweeney has been appointed as Australia A’s skipper. He has also led the Prime Minister’s XI once and marched the Brisbane Heat to the title in the previous Big Bash League (BBL) tournament.

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