Australia National Cricket Team opener Nathan McSweeney talked about the challenge of facing Jasprit Bumrah. He issued a warning to the fast bowler, saying that he would throw punches at the fast bowler in Gabba.
India National Cricket Team pacer Jasprit Bumrah has made life tough for the Australia National Cricket Team batters in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The fast bowler is the leading wicket-taker in the series with 12 wickets to his name.
Jasprit Bumrah has bowled impeccable lines and lengths in the two games so far and has looked extremely threatening with the ball. The fast bowler has had his number over Nathan McSweeney in the two games as the Australia debutant in the series has been given a tough time by the pacer.
Jasprit Bumrah removed Nathan McSweeney in two innings at Perth and then again had his number in Adelaide in the first innings. But the batter looked solid in the second match as he scored 39 and 10 not out, helping Australia stage a strong comeback in the series with a commanding 10-wicket victory.
The more I face him, the more comfortable I’ll get against him – Nathan McSweeney on Jasprit Bumrah
Nathan McSweeney, while talking about the experience of playing against Jasprit Bumrah, said that nothing can get tougher for him now, especially with facing bowlers like him early in his career. He added he will be taking some confidence from his Adelaide Test. Speaking to Cricket Australia, he said:
“To get a bowler like Jasprit early in my career, it’s not going to get much tougher than that. I take some confidence from getting through a spell in Adelaide. The more I face him, the more comfortable I’ll get against him.”
“Facing him for the first time – he’s quite a unique bowler. He’s obviously world-class and a bit different to most bowlers I’ve faced. [It’s about] adapting to his angle and where he delivers on the crease.”
Hopefully, I’ll get better the more I face him and can throw a few more punches – Nathan McSweeney on Jasprit Bumrah
Nathan McSweeney, while talking about getting out to Jasprit Bumrah, said that he will get better the more he faces him. He added that he is hopeful of throwing some punches to the pacer at the Gabba. He explained:
“I got two pretty good balls from him, so I try to wear that on the chin and trust what I’ve been doing is going to be good enough. He got me again in Adelaide – he’s a great bowler, and I’m enjoying the experience of trying to work out a game plan on the run against a world-class player. Hopefully, I’ll get better the more I face him and can throw a few more punches here at the Gabba.”
Batting well at the Gabba is about leaving well in particular – Nathan McSweeney
Nathan McSweeney further talked about playing at the Gabba, saying that batters can trust the bounce here and added that if a new ball challenge is tackled well, the batters can bat for longer periods. He explained:
“I love playing here – the wicket has great bounce. Batting well at the Gabba is about leaving well in particular. You can really trust the bounce here, and it’s about not fighting that bounce, and scoring square of the wicket.”
“If you spend a long time out there, the game can open up, and you can actually score quite quickly. It’s definitely a new-ball wicket, and if you can get past that, it’s a lovely ground to bat on.”
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