Axed Test batsman Nathan McSweeney has refused to rule out a permanent switch to the top of the order, as he casts his eyes on announcing himself as Usman Khawaja’s long-term replacement.
The Queenslander was thrust into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy fray as an opener for the first three clashes of the series, despite plying his trade as a No.3 or No.4.
He ultimately struggled to handle the relentlessness of India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, leading to his demotion in favour of rising star Sam Konstas, having averaged just 14.40.
Nathan McSweeney.Credit: Getty Images
However, speaking ahead of the Brisbane Heat’s New Year’s Day Big Bash battle with the Melbourne Stars, McSweeney said he would consider moving up once the Sheffield Shield campaign resumed.
Khawaja, 38, has reportedly flagged next summer’s Ashes as the ideal scene of his swansong, and given Konstas’ aggressive nature in contrast with McSweeney’s more measured style, the pair could loom as a complementary future partnership.
“I’d love to, there’s no doubt about that. Ussie has been awesome, but when the opportunity comes – or if it does – I would love to do that,” McSweeney said.
“I haven’t had heaps of time to think about it, to be honest, it all kind of happened fairly quickly, and then I was back here playing T20 cricket.
“Those conversations will be had, and I’ve got to work out and speak with the selectors about where my opportunity may come and what I need to do to get back there.
“I’m flexible to bat wherever and wherever I see my role to, hopefully, one day again play Test cricket.”
McSweeney admitted it had been a “challenging” and “devastating” period coming to terms with being dropped from the Test outfit.
But the 26-year-old has not given up hope of returning to the squad for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka beginning on January 29.
Nathan McSweeney’s gritty 39 in the second Test under lights showed signs of his potential in the Test arena.Credit: Getty Images
Australian selectors have shown a desire to incorporate a ‘horses for courses’ approach to subcontinent tours where an ability to play spin bowling is paramount. International returns for Peter Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell are examples of this policy.
However, McSweeney was confident he possessed the game to be considered.
Two days after his Test axing, he was guiding the Heat to victory against the Adelaide Strikers, using his feet brilliantly to the spinners in a match-winning 78.
But while he admired the way Konstas brought an ultra-attacking mindset to his debut Test, McSweeney said he would continue playing to his own strengths to force his way back into the national system.
“I think what I’ve done really well over the last couple of years is trusting my game and being able to bat long periods of time is where I’ve been able to make big runs,” McSweeney said.
“It’s quite a unique game, and it’s very individual at times. You’ve got your own way to go about it, and he [Konstas] obviously did it really well in that first innings.
“I think I’ve been able to play spin pretty well here in Australia over the last few years. It’s a fair bit different over there … [but] if I got the nod to go over there I’d feel really confident in my game against spin.”
