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Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, there has been a lot of chatter around the next Australian opener as Cameron Green got ruled out injured and Steve Smith moved back to his old no.4 spot. There have been a few candidates for the opening spot including out-of-favour batters like Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris alongside a young Sam Konstas but David Warner believes that current Australia 'A' captain Nathan McSweeney will be his ideal replacement.
“I know there’s been a lot of commentary around Sam Konstas opening the batting. Yes, he is young and he did get those hundreds, the back-to-back hundreds. But I also think that McSweeney batting up top of the order will be a good fit,” he told foxsports.com.au.
McSweeney in fine form
McSweeney helped Australia 'A' beat Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India 'A' by seven wickets in the series opener. In the first innings, he steadied the ship after a top-order collapse. He faced 131 deliveries to score 39 runs before falling to Nitish Kumar Reddy. In the second innings, the 25-year-old remained unbeaten for 88 off 178 deliveries. He shared an unbeaten 141-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Beau Webster (61) to chase down the target of 225.
MCsweeney has been in good form. He scored a century in losing cause against Queensland in Marsh Cup final. In red-ball cricket, he scored two fifties and a century in his last two appearances in the ongoing Sheffield Shield 2024.
Khawaja to retire in a year?
While Warner believes Konstas isn't ready yet, he names the youngster as a probable replacement for Usman Khawaja. He predicts that his opening partner Khawaja is likely to retire in a year or so.
“For Usman, it potentially could be his last year — he might keep going — but I think Sam would be a good replacement for Ussie. He might go back (to the Shield) and have another six months. But if an injury was to happen at the top, he might get that opportunity. And then you’ve also got to think (that) Cameron Green is (going) to come back into the lineup, right?
“So I think when you look at picking your top batting order, your top six, top seven, you know Cameron Green’s in that. Whether or not he goes back into four is another conversation.
“But putting McSweeney at the top of the order would be a great look and a great fit for him. (He is a) potential leader in the future as well. He does captain South Australia, which is a bonus, and he is captaining Australia A, so that experience for him … is fantastic,” the legendary Australian opener explained.
While India have named an 18-member squad, Australia are yet to announce their squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 that begins on November 22 at Perth Stadium.
