Cricket Australia have swung the axe on Nathan McSweeney ahead of the decisive Boxing Day Test against India at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), beginning on December 26. The selectors have added dynamic young opener Sam Konstas into the squad and is set to debut in Melbourne.
McSweeney, who had hardly opened at the first-class level, had been thrust into the spot against the likes of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. A rampant Bumrah has dismissed McSweeney on five out of six occasions and the 25-year-old has a high score of 39 in Adelaide but averages only 14.40 in 3 Tests.
Need a start? Call Jasprit Bumrah, because we only believe in _______ #AUSvINDOnStar 3rd Test, Day 2, LIVE NOW! | #ToughestRivalry #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/FdesdGCQVy
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 15, 2024
Meanwhile, Konstas, uncapped, showcased immense promise during the A series before the five-Test rubber and peeled off a hundred against India in the pink-ball practice game in Canberra. However, the New South Welshman is yet to face Bumrah and therein lies his real challenge. With Josh Hazlewood ruled out, Australia have added Jhye Richardson into the squad. However, Scott Boland remains the frontrunner to play as a third seamer at the MCG.
Australia's squad:
Pat Cummins (NSW/Penrith Cricket Club) (c)
Sean Abbott (NSW/Parramatta District Cricket Club)
Scott Boland (VIC/Frankston Peninsula Cricket Club)
Alex Carey (SA/Glenelg Cricket Club)
Travis Head (SA/Tea Tree Gully Cricket Club) (vc)
Josh Inglis (WA/Joondalup Cricket Club)
Usman Khawaja (QLD/Valley District Cricket Club)
Sam Konstas (NSW/Sutherland District Cricket Club)
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD/Redlands Cricket Club)
Nathan Lyon (NSW/Northern District Cricket Club)
Mitchell Marsh (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)
Jhye Richardson (WA/Fremantle Cricket Club)
Steve Smith (NSW/Sutherland Cricket Club) (vc)
Mitchell Starc (NSW/Manly Warringah Cricket Club)
Beau Webster (TAS/Kingborough Cricket Club)
Weather denies Australia 2-1 lead in Brisbane
Meanwhile, the weather inclement at the Gabba in Brisbane proved to be the major reason behind Australia not going up 2-1 in the five-Test series. The home side had put themselves in front by scoring 445 after Rohit Sharma inserted them on day one under overcast conditions.
With the ball, an undermanned attack had reduced the tourists to 51/4 at one stage. Although India denied them a follow-on, Australia still had a healthy 185-run lead. Pat Cummins also set up a bold declaration on day five, giving India 275 to chase down in 54 overs but rain had the final say.