Nathan McSweeney, Australia’s newest Test opener, is gearing up for a challenging debut in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, but it’s not just the prospect of facing the likes of Jasprit Bumrah that has the 25-year-old buzzing with excitement. The South Australian has been receiving some good-natured, humorous advice from his teammates, including a lighthearted message from Travis Head.
In a recent interview with Fox News Cricket, McSweeney revealed that Head had sent him a message jokingly offering his own bat-pad pads for protection at short leg, a role often given to the junior-most members of the squad. McSweeney chuckled as he recounted Head’s message: “I just got a text from Travis Head saying: ‘I can give you my bat pad pads’ – so I’ll be straight under there, I would’ve thought.”
As Australia’s new Test opener, McSweeney will take on the responsibility of fielding in the notoriously perilous positions at forward short leg or silly point, where fast-paced bat-pad pop-ups and edges can be expected. The rookie’s debut in the Baggy Green will see him in the line of fire, both with the bat and in the field, as Australia prepares for the upcoming series against India in Perth.
McSweeney, who has been in fine form for South Australia over the past few years, has scored six first-class centuries and is confident that his game is ready for the Test challenge. “I feel like my game’s ready,” McSweeney said. “It’s one position earlier than I normally do; my prep is the exact same, I train with the new ball.”
Despite his readiness, McSweeney draws inspiration from Usman Khawaja, Australia’s seasoned opener, who himself transitioned from the middle order to face the new ball at the start of innings. McSweeney is looking forward to the challenge and has already been working on his technique with his batting coach in Adelaide. “I’m just really looking forward to the experience and the opportunity,” he said.
Facing the swinging ball at the start of an inning is never easy, and McSweeney noted that Khawaja isn’t particularly fond of it. “I’ve heard that Uzzie isn’t the biggest fan of facing the first ball,” McSweeney remarked, adding that he’s comfortable in the role after facing the new ball in Australia A matches against India A.
