Nathan McSweeney Set to Open for Australia in Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Inglis Named as Backup

South Australian cricketer Nathan McSweeney is all set to take on the role of opening batter for Australia in the upcoming five-Test series against India. This series, known as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, will be highly anticipated, and McSweeney’s selection is seen as a big move for the team.

The 25-year-old McSweeney has had an outstanding start to the domestic season, making two centuries in the Sheffield Shield, as well as an unbeaten 88 that helped his team secure a crucial win. These performances allowed him to edge out other potential openers like Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, and Cam Bancroft, who has been struggling this season.

In addition to McSweeney’s inclusion, West Australian cricketer Josh Inglis has also earned a spot in the squad as a reserve batter. Inglis, who has been in excellent form this season, could provide flexibility if any top-order player needs to be replaced. Although primarily a wicket-keeper, he has shown enough skill with the bat to be considered for this backup role.

Inglis is already a regular part of Australia’s white-ball teams and is set to captain the national side in a one-day international at Optus Stadium soon. At 29, he brings both experience and versatility to the squad.

On the bowling side, Scott Boland has been named as a reserve bowler after beating out Michael Neser for the spot. Neser suffered a hamstring injury during a recent Australia A match, which opened up the opportunity for Boland to join the squad.

McSweeney’s rise to this opening role is particularly notable because he only recently started opening in first-class cricket. His first time doing so was in a tour match against India A at the MCG just this past Saturday. Partnering with veteran Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, McSweeney will aim to make an impact in his Test debut.

This selection marks a significant moment in McSweeney’s career. After struggling to break into Queensland’s team, which included seasoned players like Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne, he moved to South Australia for better opportunities—and it’s clear that decision paid off.

George Bailey, Australia’s selection chair, praised both McSweeney and Inglis for their recent performances in domestic cricket. He highlighted that McSweeney’s consistency and adaptability make him ready for Test cricket, while Inglis has earned his place through strong form in the Sheffield Shield competition.

Meanwhile, Cam Bancroft’s hopes for a Test recall have taken another hit. Despite being the top domestic batter over the past two seasons, Bancroft has had a tough run this summer. He has failed to score more than 16 runs in any first-class game so far, including two innings at No.3 for Australia A. This lack of form ultimately cost him a place in the squad.

The first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series kicks off in Perth on November 22. As fans eagerly await the start of the series, Australia’s squad seems well-prepared with a blend of experience and fresh talent ready to take on India.

Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to match day.