McSweeney in the middle: Selectors must learn from opening error

Its fair to say no debutant opening batsman has had a tougher and more brutal introduction to Test cricket in recent times than Nathan McSweeney.

His opening three Test matches in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane came in conditions where facing the new ball is more difficult than usual, and he had to do so against the greatest contemporary bowler of our time in Jasprit Bumrah.

His returns were poor, no doubt about it, but you can’t help but feel like he was hard done by, especially considering he’s not an opener by trade. He eventually beat out his nearest competitors to open in Perth because of his performances at No.3 for South Australia and Australia A.

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Since the 2023-24 season, McSweeney has averaged over 47, batting at No.3 for SA, suggesting that he is well suited to coming in at first drop. At a time when there are huge questions over the form of Marnus Labuschagne, McSweeney deserves to be in the conversation to join the Australian middle order and should not be treated as a reserve opener, which is a position that demands a specialist at facing the brand new ball.

There is no secret that the Australian selectors favour incumbency and Labuschagne will be given every chance to return to the form of a few years ago. However, this Australian side are on the verge on a major transition with all senior incumbents on the wrong side of 30.

If Australia do not test out their depth in all fields, things could become very difficult once the current era under Pat Cummins comes to its natural end if the likes of Labuschagne cannot prove themselves as a dependable No.3.

With two Tests in Sri Lanka, the WTC final and a tour of the Caribbean, now is a good time to test out McSweeney in his comfortable role in the middle order before a bumper home Ashes campaign which, in all likelihood, will see many senior players retire.

Already the captain of South Australia, McSweeney’s leadership credentials may be pivotal in the Test transition, so it is absolutely vital to test him out on the international stage in his preferred position and ensure the continued success of the Australian Test side.

Already this summer, the selectors have made a point of going younger with the likes of Sam Konstas getting selected against India and with Cooper Connolly chosen to tour Sri Lanka.

The fact that McSweeney has been picked to tour Sri Lanka is a good move, underlining that the Australian selectors still see him in their plans. However, it’s important that the selectors do not mess with his position by making him open again when that is clearly not his forte.

The middle order of Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head has been settled for a long time now but now may be the time to regenerate and blood the next generation of middle order bats, and McSweeney should be right at the top of the list.

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