Australia opener Nathan McSweeney is all set to be dropped for the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India at Melbourne. He is likely to be replaced by another opener Sam Konstas, who is likely to make his Test debut.
McSweeney has had a tough start to his Test career so far as he has been unable to cross the 10-run mark in five of his six innings so far. He has scored just 72 runs in three Tests at an average of 14.40.
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Sam Konstas added to Australia’s squad for the Boxing Day Test
Sam Konstas has been added to Australia’s squad for the fourth Test in Melbourne. There are high chances that he might open alongside the experienced Usman Khawaja at the MCG. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Nathan McSweeney is likely to be dropped for this match.
After his call-up, Konstas claimed that it would be a dream coming true for him if he made his debut. “It motivates me a bit more. Obviously, it would be a dream come true if I got that opportunity. We’ll see what happens,” Konstas said.
Konstas recently set a new BBL record as he became the youngest player to score a fifty on his debut for Sydney Thunder. He also scored a brilliant hundred for the Prime Minister’s XI against India in the pink-ball warm-up.
Nathan McSweeney set to be dropped
The Australian team management is believed to be giving an indication that Sam Konstas is set to make his debut at the Boxing Day Test. While Usman Khawaja too is not in great form with the bat, Nathan McSweeney seems to be the one who will make way.
The youngster has had a tough time facing the new ball against Jasprit Bumrah, probably the best bowler in the world right now across formats. Alongside Konstas, Josh Inglis is also in the mix to play the match.
Inglis is already in the squad and even served as a substitute fielder in the previous match. But he is likely to be included in the squad. Allrounder Beau Webster is also set to be included with the pressure on Mitchell Marsh increasing with every game.
Merv Hughes calls dropping Nathan McSweeney “a panic call”
While McSweeney is set to be dropped, former Australia cricketer and national selector Merv Hughes claimed that Australia should continue playing Nathan McSweeney, and dropping him would seem like a panic call.
“Now it would almost be a panic call to me. There’s not that much they can do with the scheduling now. All the state players are into Big Bash mode. Just stay calm. They drew the last Test. The last two Tests have been a draw and a win, so what is there to panic about,” Merv Hughes said.
While Nathan McSweeney is likely to be dropped, Scott Boland will also make another comeback by replacing the injured Josh Hazlewood, who suffered a calf strain midway through the Adelaide Test.
The five-match Test series is currently level at 1-1. India won the first Test of the series in Perth before Australia bounced back hard in Adelaide. The third Test at Gabba ended in a draw.