A scapegoat or just a tactical move? The Australian cricket team has seemingly dropped opener Nathan McSweeney from the fourth Test against India. After three matches in the national set-up, McSweeney, who had openly expressed his excitement about his first-ever Boxing Day Test, has been axed from the Test side.
Despite having never opened the batting at the state level, McSweeney was given the role, particularly to face the lethal Jasprit Bumrah. However, the Indian ace dismissed him four times at an average of 3.75.
George Bailey has gone into detail about Australia’s Test squad selection #AUSvIND
MORE: https://t.co/gFUEMNNdul pic.twitter.com/AyRO64mxQf
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 20, 2024
McSweeney trends after omission:
New South Wales teenager Sam Konstas has been added to the Australian squad for the final two Tests. Shortly after the news broke, Indian fans were quick to highlight McSweeney’s eagerness for the Boxing Day Test.
His statement on Channel 9 just a day earlier, saying, “First time I’m going to experience the Boxing Day Test, so I’m really excited,” was overshadowed by the decision of the Australian management.
Cricket fans quickly reacted, with some trolling him while others genuinely felt bad for the batter, who many believe was made the scapegoat for the underperforming top-order. Notably, Usman Khawaja, despite his struggles, has been retained for now.
Yesterday:
Nathan MCsweeney said, “first time I’m going to experience the boxing Day Test, so I’m really excited”. (Channel9).Today:
Australian Selectors dropped McSweeney from the sqaud. pic.twitter.com/BD1iAtxtGG— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 20, 2024
If true, dropping 25yo McSweeney for his inability to handle the literal best bowler in the world, while all but one of Australia’s significantly older and more experienced top six have been just as lost (minus one Smith score), is a real head-scratcher
— Max Burford (@mkfburford) December 20, 2024
19th December 2024 – “First time I’m going to experience the Boxing Day Test, so I’m really excited”.
20th December 2024 – Australian selectors dropped Nathan McSweeney from the Australia squad for the final two Tests against India.
You gotta feel for him! 💔#NathanMcSweeney pic.twitter.com/HeMnMas6Bl
— Saabir Zafar (@Saabir_Saabu01) December 20, 2024
George Bailey has utterly failed Nathan McSweeney. Forced him into a role he’s absolutely not suited for, and cast him aside immediately. Young batsmen, that aren’t specialist openers, should be coming into the Test team batting six, per the Australian tradition for 147 years.
— Ben (@benno_76) December 20, 2024
Pretty disappointed in the Australian selectors.
They’ve dropped Nathan McSweeney but kept Usman Khawaja who’s faring even worse statistically in this series.
McSweeney is 13 years younger.
Australia should be making decisions based on the future.
# AUSvIND— Stephen Quartermain (@Quartermain10) December 20, 2024
Nathan McSweeney reaction:
After being axed, the opener said, “devastated to not play the Boxing Day Test. I got the dream come true and then didn’t quite work out the way I wanted, but it’s all part of it and I’ll get my head down and get back in the nets and work hard,” according to 7News.
Nathan McSweeney said, “devastated to not play the Boxing Day Test. I got the dream come true and then didn’t quite work out the way I wanted, but it’s all part of it and I’ll get my head down and get back in the nets and work hard”. (7News). pic.twitter.com/bbXm8kCkFG
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 21, 2024
Who is Sam Konstas?
The 19-year-old was initially overlooked for the series despite an impressive record. He had become the youngest player since Ricky Ponting to score twin centuries in a Sheffield Shield game—152 and 105 against South Australia in Sydney last October.
He even grabbed the attention of many after he scored a century (107) for the PM’s XI against India and an 88 against Western Australia earlier this month, maintaining an average of 55.83 this season.
If selected to play at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Konstas will become the fourth-youngest debutant for Australia in Test cricket. Meanwhile, Josh Inglis and Beau Webster have been retained in the squad as reserve batters.
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