Former Australia captain Michael Clarke questioned the Pat Cummins-led side for dropping young opener Nathan McSweeney for the remaining two Test matches of the ongoing Border-Gavasakar Trophy. He reckons that dropping mid-series against India can potentially "end his career".
The young batter made his Test debut during the first Test match of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in the Perth Test and was dropped from the squad on Wednesday as selectors added Sam Konstas to the squad for the remaining two Test matches against India.
"Nathan McSweeney has been dropped. I can't believe that. No matter who they picked in that opening position, they had to give them the series," Clarke said on the 'Beyond 23 Cricket' podcast.
"I think the selectors have got this wrong. We've got Usman Khawaja who is 38 years old, he's made no runs. He's a senior player," he added.
Australia openers failed to perform against India in last three Test matches where McSweeney had scores of 10, 0, 39, 10 not out, 9 and 4 in his six innings and Usman Khawaja scored 8, 4, 13, 9 not out, 21 and 8 in the three games.
Clarke also reckoned that McSweeney is dealing with the toughest batting conditions and facing the best bowler in the World (Jasprit Bumrah).
"You are opening the batting in Perth, day-night Test in Adelaide and the Gabba... toughest places in the world to open.
"He made an unreal 40 (39) in Adelaide...that will be the toughest batting conditions he will ever face in batting in his career... swing, seam, Bumrah, the number one bowler in the world, running in to bowl that was his second Test match."
He also questioned the selectors for different treatment with underperforming senior members of the team in a similar manner after a few failures.
"We've got Marnus Labuschagne, who we were talking about before the series, before he made a 60. He has made no runs.
"Smith batted like a genius and made a hard-fought 100 here, but he's been under pressure. Everyone apart from McSweeney is over 30 years of age, and high 30s," Clarke pointed out.
"Are we going to keep giving youngsters two or three games and then try someone else and keep these older players?" he asked.
"What happens if Usman Khawaja retires in two Test matches? Does McSweeney then come back in or does he go to the back of the queue? This could end his career," he went on.
Clarke said if the selectors had decided to put their faith in McSweeney ahead of the series, the youngster should have retained his place throughout the summer.
"They have got to come out and say, 'we made a mistake picking him.' I don't think it's fair. They picked him, he deserved the summer," Clarke said.
"I wish him (Konstas) all the best. I hope he walks out there, and does well, lives his dream, makes a 100 on debut, something like that would be amazing," he concluded.
India and Australia are currently preparing for the fourth Test match of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy which is scheduled to take place at Melbourne Cricket Stadium in Melbourne from December 26.
