In the build-up to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, teenager Sam Konstas was backed by many to be David Warner's replacement as opener. But the India A captain Nathan McSweeney who does not open in domestic cricket was promoted up the order and was sent his maiden call-up to the Test squad. McSweeney lost his wicket to Jasprit Bumrah four times and scored 72 runs from six innings. While his veteran opening partner Usman Khawaja retained his place for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground despite scoring just 63 runs in as many innings, McSweeney got dropped. In his place, Konstas, who scored a century in the pink-ball warm-up game against India got his maiden call-up. The news of getting dropped after just three Tests left McSweeney 'devastated'.
"Yeah, I mean devastated, I get the dream come true and then didn't quite work the way I wanted," McSweeney told Channel 7 as he flew back to Brisbane from Adelaide. "But it's all part of it and I'll get my head down and get back in the nets and work really hard and hopefully be ready to go for the next opportunity."
McSweeney's best knock of 39 was praised by many. He absorbed pressure alongside Marnus Labuschagne and helped Travis Head take the charge in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval. The 25-year-old understand that there are limited opportunities at this level and vows to make a comeback.
"It's the game we're in," he said. "If you don't take an opportunity and you're not performing as well as you want to, your position's never safe. So I missed out a few times with the bat and unfortunately wasn't able to take my opportunity but as I said I'll work really to make sure that if the opportunity comes round again I'm definitely ready."
Konstas' numbers
McSweeney's replacement, Konstas has played 11 First-Class games so far and scored 718 runs from 18 innings at an average of 42.23 including two centuries and three fifties. Recently, he made his Big Bash League (BBL) debut for Sydney Thunder under David Warner's leadership. The 19-year-old proved his mettle with a 27-ball 56.
