Australia have axed three-Test-old opener, Nathan McSweeney, after no show in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series against India in a ruthless call. McSweeney failed to cross 10 in five of the six innings he played in the first three Tests against India in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane was left out for the 19-year-old New South Wales opening batter, Sam Konstas, who has become the apple of everyone’s eye since his exploits in the Sheffield Shield season and now more so after his blitz in his maiden Big Bash League (BBL) appearance for the Sydney Thunder.
McSweeney averaged 14.40 after scoring 72 runs in six innings and was clearly thrown into the deep end with a certain Jasprit Bumrah against him. Days after being under fire for ‘not taking tough decisions’ and ‘being too close to the team’, chief selector Goerge Bailey has taken sudden bold decisions as Australia fight it out in the riveting race to the finish for a spot in the WTC final against India.
“It would be a dream come true,” he said of the prospect of joining Test ranks before a sold-out crowd at the MCG next Thursday.
“Maybe I’d get a little nervous before the game, but I’ve worked really hard for that.
“Hopefully, it happens one day, but we’ll see.”
Australia squad for remaining two Tests at MCG and SCG: Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head (vc), Steve Smith (vc), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
