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Nathan McSweeney was dropped and replaced by Sam Konstas after failing to cross 50 in six innings as Australia’s new Test opener.
Nathan McSweeney (PC: X)
Australian makeshift opener Nathan McSweeney, who was dropped from the Test side after playing three games in the ongoing 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against India, bounced back to form with a stunning 78 (49) to help Brisbane Heat clinch last-ball thriller against the Adelaide Strikers in the 2024-25 Big Bash League (BBL) on Sunday.
The 25-year-old right-handed batter his 10 fours and two sixes and remained not-out as the Head chased down 175 on the last ball through number nine batter Mitchell Swepson’s single. Watch a video of his knock here:
“It’s always nice to bounce back,” McSweeney said after the match. “I loved my time on the Australian Cricket team. You know sharing the changing room with some of Australia’s best players was awesome. And yeah hopefully I can continue to get better and learn from my experiences and get back there.”
He also revealed some positive advice from Marnus Labuschagne, his mentor and a mainstay in the Australian Test side.
“Marnus in particular, just said it’s not where it starts, it’s where it ends. I think a good story always has its ups and downs and hopefully mine can. When I finish and I’m all done, I can look back on this and it was a great learning curve,” McSweeney, who claimed the Player of the Match award, added.
McSweeney was dropped after a string of underwhelming performances since his debut last month. Batting a position up than his usual number three, and in difficult conditions, he failed to surpass 10 runs in five out of six innings.
Jasprit Bumrah became his biggest obstacle, with the Indian vice-captain dismissing him in four of his six innings.
Teenager Sam Konstas has replaced McSweeney in the Australian squad and is being touted as his opening replacement for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The 19-year-old could become the youngest specialist batter to debut for Australia since former captain Ian Craig when he played against South Africa at the MCG in 1953 aged 17 years 239 days.
Interestingly, Konstas scored a duck in the BBL while playing for Sydney Thunder against the Sydney Sixers after his call-up was announced.
- Location :
Brisbane, Australia
