Australia drops Nathan McSweeney for final two Test matches, Sam Konstas named replacement

Opening batter Nathan McSweeney has been axed from the Australian squad for the final two games versus India. The move comes after the 25-year-old batter managed to score just 72 runs from 6 innings with an average of 14.4 and a best of 39. McSweeney came into the series on the back of scoring 166 runs during the 2-match series against India A. 

Young batting sensation Sam Konstas has been named as the replacement for and is set to make his debut during the Boxing Day Test. Sam Konstas scored a century for the Prime Minister’s XI during the warm-up game against India ahead of the Adelaide Test. The young batter has been in prime form with the bat, both in the Sheffield Shield and the Big Bash League. 

Australia’s chief selector, George Bailey, while addressing the media, as quoted by CRICBUZZ, said, “Sam gets a call-up to the Test squad for the first time. His style of batting offers a point of difference, and we look forward to watching his game develop further." Nathan McSweeney was out to Jasprit Bumrah on four out of the five occasions he was dismissed in the first 3 matches. 

Jhye Richardson added to Australian squad 

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out of the final two matches of the Border Gavaskar Trophy owing to injury. Australia have called upon Jhye Richardson to the squad to add more backup. Sean Abott and Beau Webster have also been added to the team as backups. Scott Boland is certain to replace Hazlewood for the Boxing Day Test match starting on 26th December. 

George Bailey put his faith in Nathan McSweeney to make his comeback and said, “We remain confident Nathan has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level in the future. It was a difficult decision to leave him out. It has clearly been a challenge at the top of the order for batters throughout the series and we want to provide the option of a different line-up for the next two matches.”

The former Aussie star, while speaking about Richardson’s selection, said, "In the absence of Josh Hazlewood, Jhye provides further options in the fast bowling space. It has been pleasing to see his successful return throughout the early part of the domestic summer."