Nathan McSweeney dropped after much deliberation: Australia coach George Bailey

Last update:December 20, 2024, 11:38 p.m. IST

Bailey admitted McSweeney was dejected after hearing the news, but said the leadoff hitter had the ability to bounce back and be in the Test reckoning in the future.

Nathan McSweeney was ruled out of the last two Tests against India

Australian chairman of selectors George Bailey revealed on Friday that he had “deliberated a lot” before deciding to drop Nathan McSweeney for the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a decision based on the progress of the series.

Teenage sensation Sam Konstas received his first call-up after a series of disappointing performances from the Australian order in the first three Tests, particularly from McSweeney.

After making his Test debut in the series opener in Perth, McSweeney, 25, capped scores of 10, 0, 39, 10 not out, 9 and 4 in his six innings and was dismissed by Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah four. times.

“(It was a) really difficult decision for Nathan and one that we spent a lot of time deliberating over. Especially after a small sample size of three Tests… It’s never a good phone call, is it?,” Bailey told ESPNCricinfo.

Bailey admitted McSweeney was dejected after hearing the news, but said the leadoff hitter had the ability to bounce back and be in the Test reckoning in the future.

“Nathan was disappointed and the message to him was pretty much the same as at the start of the series, which was that we think he has the ability and the temperament to succeed at Test level.

“But given the way the series has gone, we just want to have the opportunity to start something different in India for this next Test (in Melbourne),” added Bailey.

The five-Test series is very even with both teams tied at 1-1 after the third Test draw at the Gabba.

“It has clearly been a major challenge for the batters throughout the series and we want to provide the possibility of a different line-up for the next two matches,” he added.

Former coach and selector Merv Hughes had warned selectors against making any changes to the batting line-up for the Boxing Day Test.

“Now that would almost be a panic call for me… Stay calm. They (India) drew the last Test. The last two Tests were a draw and a win, so there is reason to panic,” Hughes told the Courier Mail.

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