NEWS
Follow UsNathan McSweeney said he was “devastated” after being dropped for the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The 25-year-old, who has largely batted in the middle-order in first-class cricket, was asked to open against India and it “didn’t quite work out” for either McSweeney or Australia.
The right-hander could only manage 72 runs @ 14.40 in the first three Tests. He had a horrid time against Jasprit Bumrah, getting out to him on four occasions, averaging just 3.8. McSweeney has now been left out of the squad for the last two games, with Sam Konstas being named his replacement.
Also read - Nathan McSweeney’s only fault is that Jasprit Bumrah exists
“Devastated, I mean I get the dream come true and it didn’t quite work out the way I wanted. But it’s all part of the game so I’ll get my head down and get back in the nets and work really hard, and hopefully be ready to go for my next opportunity” McSweeney told 7Cricket.
“I think it’s the game we’re in, if you don’t take the opportunity and you’re not performing as well as you want to, your position is never safe. I missed out on a couple of times with the bat, and unfortunately wasn’t able to take my opportunity”
So, what's next for McSweeney? “Looking forward to get back to my family, it’s a special time of the year (Christmas time), and also get to play for the team that I love very much, and had a really good year last year.”
McSweeney is not the only Australian batter who has struggled against Bumrah. The other two in the top-three - Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne - also have an average of less than five against India’s ace paceman. Khawaja has 63 runs in six innings @ 12.60, while Labuschagne has 82 runs @ 16.40.
The fourth Test will be played at the MCG from December 26. The series is currently tied at 1-1, with two matches to go.
