Nathan McSweeney, recently dropped from the Australian Test squad, is eyeing a long-term move to the top of the order as a potential replacement for Usman Khawaja.
Axed Test batsman Nathan McSweeney has refused to rule out a permanent switch to the top of the order, as he casts his eyes on announcing himself as Usman Khawaja ’s long-term replacement. The Queenslander was thrust into the Border-Gavaskar Trophy fray as an opener for the first three clashes of the series, despite plying his trade as a No.3 or No.4.
However, speaking ahead of the Brisbane Heat’s New Year’s Day Big Bash battle with the Melbourne Stars, McSweeney said he would consider moving up once the Sheffield Shield campaign resumed. Khawaja, 38, has reportedly flagged next summer’s Ashes as the ideal scene of his swansong, and given Konstas’ aggressive nature in contrast with McSweeney’s more measured style, the pair could loom as a complementary future partnership.“I’d love to, there’s no doubt about that. Ussie has been awesome, but when the opportunity comes – or if it does – I would love to do that,” McSweeney said. “I haven’t had heaps of time to think about it, to be honest, it all kind of happened fairly quickly, and then I was back here playing T20 cricket. “Those conversations will be had, and I’ve got to work out and speak with the selectors about where my opportunity may come and what I need to do to get back there.“I’m flexible to bat wherever and wherever I see my role to, hopefully, one day again play Test cricket.” McSweeney admitted it had been a “challenging” and “devastating” period coming to terms with being dropped from the Test outfit. But the 26-year-old has not given up hope of returning to the squad for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka beginning on January 29. Nathan McSweeney’s gritty 39 in the second Test under lights showed signs of his potential in the Test arena.Australian selectors have shown a desire to incorporate a ‘horses for courses’ approach to subcontinent tours where an ability to play spin bowling is paramount. International returns for Peter Handscomb and Glenn Maxwell are examples of this polic
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