Former Australian legends Ricky Ponting and Ian Healy spoke about the one slot that remains a big debate for them ahead of the India Test series . Ever since David Warner's retirement and failed experiment in moving Steve Smith up the order, Australia have struggled to find an ideal replacement. Cameron Green's injury didn't help matters either.
Now, Ponting and Healy have backed Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney to take over the opening slot for the marquee Border-Gavaskar Trophy , starting in Perth on November 22.
As Australia hunt for an opening partner for Usman Khawaja, the likes of McSweeney , Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris have emerged as the contenders.
Who is Nathan McSweeney?
McSweeney has scored 291 runs in his previous four innings, which includes a century in the Sheffield Shield and the One-Day Cup.
McSweeney has made a strong impression. Batting at No. 4, the 25-year-old played a steady knock in the first inning and was leading the charge in the second essay in the first unofficial Test against India A.
"The only name left for me, more or less is Nathan McSweeney, who is Queensland-born now playing for South Australia. He got the most out of any of those guys from the 'A' game in Australia at the moment," said Ponting.
"And he's more experienced. He has captained Australia A in the past, and he's captaining them now (versus India A). So, I'm leaning towards McSweeney now for that opening role at the start of the Australian summer," added the former Australia skipper.
Meanwhile, former keeper Healy was pleased that more could see the talent in the 25-year-old.
"I was glad people could see how Nathan McSweeney can bat yesterday, he put his shots away for the good of the situation," Healy told SEN Radio.
"I knew about him because he's come from my club and the Australian selectors know about it because he's played like that for South Australia and very well recently.
"He showed that at 25 years of age, he's the most ready of the four. The tried and tested Bancroft and Harris are a bit older and Konstas is a bit younger. He's the most suited from that performance overall," Healy added.
Now, Ponting and Healy have backed Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney to take over the opening slot for the marquee Border-Gavaskar Trophy , starting in Perth on November 22.
As Australia hunt for an opening partner for Usman Khawaja, the likes of McSweeney , Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris have emerged as the contenders.
Who is Nathan McSweeney?
McSweeney has scored 291 runs in his previous four innings, which includes a century in the Sheffield Shield and the One-Day Cup.
Nathan McSweeney has played a captain's game so far for Aust A in Mackay. Runs in each innings and marshaling his bowlers well. He's also had the advantage of batting four on a challenging surface. Much for duty selector Tony Dodemaide to ponder #AUSvIND
— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig) November 2, 2024
McSweeney has made a strong impression. Batting at No. 4, the 25-year-old played a steady knock in the first inning and was leading the charge in the second essay in the first unofficial Test against India A.
"The only name left for me, more or less is Nathan McSweeney, who is Queensland-born now playing for South Australia. He got the most out of any of those guys from the 'A' game in Australia at the moment," said Ponting.
"And he's more experienced. He has captained Australia A in the past, and he's captaining them now (versus India A). So, I'm leaning towards McSweeney now for that opening role at the start of the Australian summer," added the former Australia skipper.
Meanwhile, former keeper Healy was pleased that more could see the talent in the 25-year-old.
"I was glad people could see how Nathan McSweeney can bat yesterday, he put his shots away for the good of the situation," Healy told SEN Radio.
"I knew about him because he's come from my club and the Australian selectors know about it because he's played like that for South Australia and very well recently.
"He showed that at 25 years of age, he's the most ready of the four. The tried and tested Bancroft and Harris are a bit older and Konstas is a bit younger. He's the most suited from that performance overall," Healy added.
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