Australian cricketer Nathan McSweeney has expressed his disappointment after being dropped from the Test squad after three matches against India.
Despite his efforts in challenging conditions, McSweeney was replaced by 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who is now set to open the batting on Boxing Day at the MCG during the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The 25-year-old, who had never opened before his Australia A stint against India A, scored 72 runs in six innings.
However, the selectors opted for a more aggressive approach in the top flight, leaving the 24-year-old out of the squad.
“Yeah, I mean, devastated. I achieved the dream and then it didn’t work out the way I wanted it to,” McSweeney said as he flew back to Brisbane from Adelaide.
“But it’s all part of it and I’m going to put my head down, get back in the net, work hard and hope to be ready for the next opportunity,” he added.
The right-handed batsman was praised for his resilience, especially during the Adelaide Test under lights where he played a key role alongside Marnus Labuschagne.
Despite this, his inability to convert matches, with five expulsions between 0 and 10, cost him his place in the team.
“That’s the game we’re in,” he said. “If you don’t take advantage of the opportunity and you’re not performing as well as you would like, your position will never be secure. So, I lost a few times with the bat and unfortunately I couldn’t take advantage of the opportunity. I said, I’m going to work really hard to make sure that if the opportunity comes up again, I’m definitely ready.”
Chairman of selectors George Bailey acknowledged the difficulty of the decision.
“(It was a) very difficult decision for Nathan and one that we spent a lot of time deliberating on,” Bailey said.
“Particularly after a small sample of three tests… That’s never a good call, is it? Nathan was disappointed, and really the message to him was the same as it was at the beginning of the series: we believe he has the ability and temperament to succeed at the test level.”
Whether McSweeney will play for the Brisbane Heat in Sunday’s Big Bash League (BBL) clash against the Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba remains uncertain, with confirmation expected later.
Meanwhile, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is delicately poised at 1-1 after the third Test ended in a rain-affected draw.
India, led by Jasprit Bumrah, clinched the opening Test with a stunning 295-run victory, while Australia responded with a 10-wicket win in the second match.
The decisive fourth Test will take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26 to 30.
