Nathan McSweeney: Australian All-Rounder

[FearlessRoar]

Nathan McSweeney is an Australian cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler. McSweeney plays domestic cricket for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield and the Big Bash League (BBL) for the Brisbane Heat.

Nathan McSweeney has been selected in the Australian Test squad for the 1st Test against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

 

[mominsaigol]

Nathan McSweeney is an Australian cricketer. He is a right-handed batsman and a right-arm medium-fast bowler. McSweeney plays domestic cricket for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield and the Big Bash League (BBL) for the Brisbane Heat.

Nathan McSweeney has been selected in the Australian Test squad for the 1st Test against India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.

A much better opener then JFM but much slower. He doesn't fit the brand of aissie cricket that's the thing.

Their trying to find Warner replacement

 

[batandballbattle]

Don't think shoehorning him out of position as an opener is going to help his confidence.
But let's see how he adapts.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Can Nathan McSweeney prove to be the best candidate for the opening slot in Test cricket for Australia?

 

[BouncerGuy]

Australia debutant readying himself for potential Bumrah barrage

Australia's next Test opener is feeling confident and already doing everything he can to prosper against India this summer.

Untried Australia batter Nathan McSweeney has revealed he has already started his preparations on how to cope with the threat of India's potent pace bowling attack during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series.

Some impressive recent performances at domestic level and for Australia A saw McSweeney included in Australia's 13-player squad for the series opener in Perth and the uncapped right-hander looks almost certain to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the Aussies' batting order for the crucial ICC World Test Championship contest.

While McSweeney looked composed against the new ball when thrust into the opening position against India A at the MCG last week, the 25-year-old faces a different proposition in Perth when he will face up against the likes of star quick Jasprit Bumrah and enigmatic pacer Mohammed Siraj.

And McSweeney is trying to be as prepared as possible for his potential Test debut and has already started watching clips of India's quicks in an attempt to be ready for a likely new-ball barrage from Bumrah and Co.

“I’ll definitely dive a lot deeper into it when I get to Perth, but I can't help myself,” McSweeney told Australian radio station SEN on Tuesday.

“I've looked at a few clips of what they're bowling attack stacks up like.

“I’m just trying to visualise how I'm going to go about it. Facing a new bowler can be a slight challenge to just pick up their action.

“I've got a whole week before I head off to Perth so I can get mentally ready and I guess it starts now in preparation to hopefully start really well.

“But there’s probably not (much you can do to replicate how Bumrah bowls).

“Obviously he's got a unique action, he's one of the best bowlers in the world, so it's going to be hard to mimic that, that's for sure.

“I'm just looking forward to all of that and I can't wait.”

McSweeney is fifth on the list of leading run-scorers in the ongoing domestic Sheffield Shield competition in Australia and earned his Test call-up on the back of some solid contributions for Australia A in recent matches against India A in Mackay and Melbourne.

It's been a long time coming for McSweeney, who scored plenty of runs for Australia at the ICC Men's Under 19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand 2018 and has been knocking the door down in recent years while waiting for an opportunity at the highest level.

That chance looks set to come against India in Perth and McSweeney believes he is ready to take the opportunity with both hands.

“In the last month or so I really feel like I'm batting the best I ever have,” McSweeney said.

“I think I'm the best I've ever been prepared to take this opportunity, so hopefully I can do that.

“No doubt there's plenty of learning and experiences that I haven't experienced yet and I'm looking forward to learning all about the challenges of Test cricket and challenging my game against the very best.

“There’s plenty of learning to go and plenty of improvement I hope, but I definitely feel like this is the best I’ve played and I’m ready for the challenge.”

While McSweeney will be trying to replicate the amount of runs previous opener David Warner managed for Australia, the right-hander can't promise he will be able to match the scoring rate his predecessor managed throughout his illustrious career.

“I think decision-making is the most important thing for my game. If I'm making good decisions, I generally get to spend some time out in the middle,” McSweeney said.

“Being an opening batter, it’s making sure I'm leaving the ball well and making the bowlers are bowling to me.

“Then being ready and positive to score when they miss is as simple as I want to make it.

“If I'm reacting well and doing those things well, hopefully, it equates to me spending time in the middle and chipping away at the scoreboard.”

ICC

 

[FearlessRoar]

‘No guarantees in cricket’ - Khawaja's advice for McSweeney on maiden Test call-up

Usman Khawaja believes the 25-year-old newcomer has the goods to handle the scrutiny and the pressure of Test cricket.
Among the first time entrants in Australia’s Test squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy is Nathan McSqueeny, who is set to be slotted in as the opener for the five-Test series against India.

Australia’s mainstay Test opener Usman Khawaja has expressed belief that the young all-rounder is ready to take up the job left for grabs after David Warner’s retirement and that he mustn't look to do anything differently than he has at the domestic level.

"There's no guarantees in cricket...but he doesn't have to do anything different," Khawaja said.

"Just repeat the process. He's been able to handle the pressure at Shield level. When you look at his demeanour, the way he plays, you do kind of feel over a longer period of time he'll be able to handle the scrutiny, the pressure of Test cricket," he added.

Having featured in 34 first-class games, McSweeney has 2252 runs to his name at an average of 34.16. His promotion to the senior team comes on the back of an impressive couple of outings in the Sheffield Shield, and a match-winning knock against India-A in the first of two Tests.

Khawaja also laughed off the subject of McSweeney’s strike rate (41.92) being lower than his in Tests (48.3), giving the newcomer a glowing review.

"I don't know where this myth started that you need someone to score really fast to do well. You've got five days to do it. I don't know why you need to score fast,” the opener said.

"Opening's as much about scoring runs as it is about being able to absorb. Davey was special, he could score runs while absorbing but he didn't do it (score fast) every time. He was consistent, out there and setting a platform, and Nathan does that very well," he added.

‘No guarantees in cricket’ - Khawaja's advice for McSweeney on maiden Test call-up

Usman Khawaja believes the 25-year-old newcomer has the goods to handle the scrutiny and the pressure of Test cricket.

www.icc-cricket.com

 

[FearlessRoar]

Former Australia Test opener Ed Cowan while speaking on a podcast:

"The data would suggest at the moment in his [Nathan McSweeney] career, he doesn't have the technique nor the temperament to do it. Do you know what a selection, when the data doesn't support your point of view, is? It's a guess. It's a guess."


Australian chief selector George Bailey has responded strongly to criticism from Ed Cowan while speaking to local media:

"I'd like to think it's a little more than a guess. I guess we could all run our fingers down the list of leading run-scorers or leading wicket-takers and just work our way through the top, but that's not necessarily how cricket teams work."

"We like his (McSweeney's) technique, temperament; we think he's got the game to succeed at Test level. Conscious that it's unlikely that will be linear here. I don't think there's many people that go through their Test career where that is."

"But we think he can succeed, and I also think he complements the team and that's an important factor, too; the balance of what you want your make-up of your XI to look like."

 

[BouncerGuy]

Warner’s shock prediction over Aussie Test successor as great delivers top-six verdict

Fox Cricket commentator David Warner has given Australia’s top six bats one final blessing ahead of this Friday’s Test summer opener against India, and noted the country must be “patient” with his opening successor Nathan McSweeney.

Speaking to fans and media at the launch of Australia’s Summer of Cricket on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports, the 112-Test superstar backed the uncapped incumbent to hold his own against India’s bowling attack - as well as his long-time counterparts.

“Nathan McSweeney’s got a good technique (and) we know he can bat for long periods of time,” Warner stated.

“And then (there’s) Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who probably in their right mind, are overdue for some runs.

“I think Marnus is really up for the series; I’m hoping that he has a big series for Australia.”

McSweeney, who was chosen to play in the national side this summer ahead of tried openers Marcus Harris and Cam Bancroft, has opened the batting at first-class level just once before — in his most recent match against India A at the MCG only two weeks ago.

But despite his inexperience in the role, Warner believes he can take the opportunity with both hands; and importantly, pair well with veteran Usman Khawaja.

“It’s a great time for him to come in; it’s a big series,” Warner continued.

“I think he’s got the technique (and) the patience to partner up with Uzzie to allow himself to score big.

“I’ve pencilled him (McSweeney) in for the highest run score this (summer), so I’m looking forward to that. I’m also looking forward to seeing how he adapts batting with someone like Usman Khawaja as well, because it’s a partnership that you have to build.

“We’ve just got to be patient with all the guys that are coming through now. Uzzie is touching on 38 now as well, he’s probably got another 12 to 18 months to go.

“He’s (McSweeney) 25 years of age; you’ve got to give guys a crack … it’d be exciting just to see him score some runs first (and) establish himself — but if he doesn’t, just give him some time, give him maybe two summers.”

Runs for some of the country’s best batters have dried up ever so slightly in recent years, with both Australian and foreign bowlers cashing in as best as they can.

And as a result, Warner is hoping for pitches this summer that aid batters more than they have in recent seasons.

“I think the wickets have been conducive to fast bowling (in) the last 18 months to two years,” Warner stated.

“I think you look at India in India specifically as well; there’s been the one-off batter that’s been scoring big runs, but everyone else has just been contributing.

“I think that’s (also) been the nature in Australia. You look at Travis Head (and) Mitch Marsh coming out of the blocks in the middle order, and runs are flying at a high strike rate, it sort of sets the game up for the middle order.

“As I said, the wickets have been quite challenging - hopefully this year we get some better batting wickets, being batting biased, because I know what our fast bowlers are capable of. You’ve got over 1,000 wickets in that armour, so I’m excited for them.”

The first Test between Australia and India gets underway at Perth Stadium on Friday at 1.20pm AEDT.

SOURCE; https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricke...s/news-story/d46eb9942b267b0d21ec229d487e1695

 

[mominsaigol]

Nathan Mcsweeny is a good player and they need to back this lad. I personally feel he should open for Australia in CT.

The guy improves day by day and to top it off he's taking BGT very seriously. Literally has been watching Bumrah’s footage like a hawk

 

[mominsaigol]

This lad is going to be hell for india

 

[FearlessRoar]

McSweeney relishing 'unique' challenge combating Bumrah​

New Australia opener has had a tough initiation to Test cricket with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing him three times.

With some Test runs under his belt and as a last-start century-maker at the Gabba, new Australia opener Nathan McSweeney is confident he can "throw a few more punches" at his Indian nemesis Jasprit Bumrah in the third Test, beginning Saturday.

Having debuted with a double failure in the series opener in Perth, McSweeney's first-innings 39 in Adelaide was one half of what proved a critical partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, helping set the hosts up for an emphatic series-levelling win.

The right-hander added an unbeaten 10 in the second innings to cap off an improved second showing in the Test arena, but it is the threat of Bumrah that looms over him as the action shifts to Brisbane: from 39 balls faced against the Indian ace, he has scored nine runs, with zero boundaries, and has lost his wicket three times.

McSweeney though, is opting to view the positives from his experiences so far; chiefly the probing session he survived against Bumrah brandishing the pink ball under lights on the first evening in Adelaide.

"To get a bowler like Jasprit early on my career, it's not going to get much tougher than that," he said. "I can take some confidence getting through a spell in Adelaide, and the more I face him, the more comfortable I'll get against him. It's challenging, no doubt, but it's nice to get a little bit of confidence from Adelaide, and hopefully continue throughout the series.

"Facing him for the first time, he's quite a unique bowler … So (it's) just (about) adapting to his angle and where he delivers on the crease. I got two pretty good balls from him (in Perth), so (I) try and just wear that on the chin and trust that what I've been doing is going to be good enough. He got me again in Adelaide … (but) I'm really enjoying the experience (of trying to) work out a game plan on the run against a world-class bowler.

"Hopefully I'll get better the more I face him, and I can throw a few more punches hopefully here at the Gabba."

McSweeney was one of a handful of Australian batters training in the indoor nets in the National Cricket Centre on Wednesday afternoon, with both squads having touched down in Brisbane ahead of day one on Saturday.

The 25-year-old began his net session working with Marnus Labuschagne (one member of his small coterie of trusted batting advisors), hitting with only his top hand on the bat, before he worked his way into a more substantial hit-out.

It was Labuschagne who McSweeney worked closely with during his formative years with Queensland and that relationship continued even when the latter moved to South Australia in 2021, so it was something of a full-circle moment when the under-fire pair steadied Australia during a tense period late on day one of that second Test.

Labuschagne's 64 marked a return to form for the No.3, and McSweeney explained how watching his senior partner work through those struggles – from Perth to Adelaide – and come out the other side was beneficial for him as well.

"He's a beauty of a guy," McSweeney said. "I think what we see on TV when the bowler is bowling the ball, he's really intense, but in between overs, he's actually quite calm.

"It gives me confidence just realising that we're all going through the same stuff – I'm (in my) first game, trying to work it out, (and) he's 50 games in, still trying to tinker and work things out … it's a very important series, we're not quite all batting the way we want to, but there's always room for learning and tinkering, and we haven't all quite worked it out yet.

"So that gave me a little bit of confidence – we're always striving to be better, and I think that's what makes guys like Steve (Smith) and Marnus really good."

It's been more than a year since McSweeney turned out in a first-class fixture at the Gabba – also the scene of his first-class debut in October 2018 – but in that Sheffield Shield contest against his native state he stroked an unbeaten first-innings 112 before the South Australians claimed a thrilling win.

"I love playing here – the wicket has great bounce," he said. "Batting well at the Gabba (is about) leaving well in particular … you can really trust the bounce here, and it's about not fighting that bounce, and scoring square of the wicket.

"It's a ground that if you spend a long time out there, the game can open up and you can actually score quite quickly. So it's definitely a new-ball wicket, and if you can get past that, it's a lovely ground to bat on."

McSweeney relishing 'unique' challenge combating Bumrah | cricket.com.au

New Australia opener has had a tough initiation to Test cricket with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing him…

www.cricket.com.au

 

[Markhor]

I've not seen much of this fellow but we must acknowledge it's a very hard era for opening batsmen in Test cricket.

So far in this decade there are 7 opening batsmen averaging above 40 (min 10 innings) with 4 from the subcontinent where it's not as tricky facing the new ball.

In the 2010s there were 15, and 20 in the 2000s.

The question is how much do we attribute this to the fact the Kookaburra is assisting seamers much more than before the manufacturing changes ? How much is that down to T20 cricket and the lack of "old school" defensive openers ? Or the quality of seam bowling globally ?

It also begs the question should we change our expectations of what a Test opener should average. Maybe 35 is the new 40.

 

[mominsaigol]

McSweeney relishing 'unique' challenge combating Bumrah​

New Australia opener has had a tough initiation to Test cricket with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing him three times.

With some Test runs under his belt and as a last-start century-maker at the Gabba, new Australia opener Nathan McSweeney is confident he can "throw a few more punches" at his Indian nemesis Jasprit Bumrah in the third Test, beginning Saturday.

Having debuted with a double failure in the series opener in Perth, McSweeney's first-innings 39 in Adelaide was one half of what proved a critical partnership with Marnus Labuschagne, helping set the hosts up for an emphatic series-levelling win.

The right-hander added an unbeaten 10 in the second innings to cap off an improved second showing in the Test arena, but it is the threat of Bumrah that looms over him as the action shifts to Brisbane: from 39 balls faced against the Indian ace, he has scored nine runs, with zero boundaries, and has lost his wicket three times.

McSweeney though, is opting to view the positives from his experiences so far; chiefly the probing session he survived against Bumrah brandishing the pink ball under lights on the first evening in Adelaide.

"To get a bowler like Jasprit early on my career, it's not going to get much tougher than that," he said. "I can take some confidence getting through a spell in Adelaide, and the more I face him, the more comfortable I'll get against him. It's challenging, no doubt, but it's nice to get a little bit of confidence from Adelaide, and hopefully continue throughout the series.

"Facing him for the first time, he's quite a unique bowler … So (it's) just (about) adapting to his angle and where he delivers on the crease. I got two pretty good balls from him (in Perth), so (I) try and just wear that on the chin and trust that what I've been doing is going to be good enough. He got me again in Adelaide … (but) I'm really enjoying the experience (of trying to) work out a game plan on the run against a world-class bowler.

"Hopefully I'll get better the more I face him, and I can throw a few more punches hopefully here at the Gabba."

McSweeney was one of a handful of Australian batters training in the indoor nets in the National Cricket Centre on Wednesday afternoon, with both squads having touched down in Brisbane ahead of day one on Saturday.

The 25-year-old began his net session working with Marnus Labuschagne (one member of his small coterie of trusted batting advisors), hitting with only his top hand on the bat, before he worked his way into a more substantial hit-out.

It was Labuschagne who McSweeney worked closely with during his formative years with Queensland and that relationship continued even when the latter moved to South Australia in 2021, so it was something of a full-circle moment when the under-fire pair steadied Australia during a tense period late on day one of that second Test.

Labuschagne's 64 marked a return to form for the No.3, and McSweeney explained how watching his senior partner work through those struggles – from Perth to Adelaide – and come out the other side was beneficial for him as well.

"He's a beauty of a guy," McSweeney said. "I think what we see on TV when the bowler is bowling the ball, he's really intense, but in between overs, he's actually quite calm.

"It gives me confidence just realising that we're all going through the same stuff – I'm (in my) first game, trying to work it out, (and) he's 50 games in, still trying to tinker and work things out … it's a very important series, we're not quite all batting the way we want to, but there's always room for learning and tinkering, and we haven't all quite worked it out yet.

"So that gave me a little bit of confidence – we're always striving to be better, and I think that's what makes guys like Steve (Smith) and Marnus really good."

It's been more than a year since McSweeney turned out in a first-class fixture at the Gabba – also the scene of his first-class debut in October 2018 – but in that Sheffield Shield contest against his native state he stroked an unbeaten first-innings 112 before the South Australians claimed a thrilling win.

"I love playing here – the wicket has great bounce," he said. "Batting well at the Gabba (is about) leaving well in particular … you can really trust the bounce here, and it's about not fighting that bounce, and scoring square of the wicket.

"It's a ground that if you spend a long time out there, the game can open up and you can actually score quite quickly. So it's definitely a new-ball wicket, and if you can get past that, it's a lovely ground to bat on."

McSweeney relishing 'unique' challenge combating Bumrah | cricket.com.au

New Australia opener has had a tough initiation to Test cricket with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing him…

www.cricket.com.au

@Ahmed216

This is why ik he'll be a future great for Australia. Most people would have been disheartened or clueless against bumrah.

This kid is loving the challenge, also he hasn't struggled against any other Indian bowler's atm. Only bumrah.

So I disagree with you on him having a poor technique. It's a pretty compact technique and he plays the pull shot extremely well.

 

[Ahmed216]

@Ahmed216

This is why ik he'll be a future great for Australia. Most people would have been disheartened or clueless against bumrah.

This kid is loving the challenge, also he hasn't struggled against any other Indian bowler's atm. Only bumrah.

So I disagree with you on him having a poor technique. It's a pretty compact technique and he plays the pull shot extremely well.

Actually I should have said that his technique is faulty, not poor. There was clearly a technical issue with him, which I saw him rectify a bit in the last innings of Adelaide.

He was playing with front on technique, that's why, if you look at his dismissals, he was getting beaten on both the inside edge and the outside edge. Side on technique is needed in tests. You can youtube it if it's not clear to you.

His attitude is very good, he looks like a fighter to me, gave it his all in the difficult last session under lights first innings.

I watched the few balls he faced in second innings of Adelaide test and he seemed to know what was hindering him and if he applies himself I can see him score 100+ runs in Brisbane game

 

[mominsaigol]

Actually I should have said that his technique is faulty, not poor. There was clearly a technical issue with him, which I saw him rectify a bit in the last innings of Adelaide.

He was playing with front on technique, that's why, if you look at his dismissals, he was getting beaten on both the inside edge and the outside edge. Side on technique is needed in tests. You can youtube it if it's not clear to you.

His attitude is very good, he looks like a fighter to me, gave it his all in the difficult last session under lights first innings.

I watched the few balls he faced in second innings of Adelaide test and he seemed to know what was hindering him and if he applies himself I can see him score 100+ runs in Brisbane game

If Warner likes the kid, I like the kid.

 

[sindhiboy]

And he is dropped from the squad.
If he was not playing for Australia, everybody here would probably have been calling him a bang average club cricketer.

Nonetheless, struggling to score vs the best fast bowler in the world on raging green tops is pretty much expected though, dont know what else the Aus selectors expect from dropping him.

 

[Mamoon]

Very ordinary with a cowardly approach. Not sure what people saw in him that led to all the hype.

He is a 30-35 averaging Test batsman at best.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Former Australia captain Michael Clarke expressed his disappointment over Nathan McSweeney being dropped for the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, stating this during a conversation on a podcast:

“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. 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.”

“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 into bowl that was his second Test match.”

“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."

“Are we going to keep giving youngsters two or three games and then try someone else and keep these older players? 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.”

 

[sweep_shot]

I expect him to be back. His technique seemed great.

But, should he bulk up a bit? I think he should.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Australian chief selector George Bailey, while speaking to the local media, commented on Nathan McSweeney being dropped for the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25:

"[It was a] really hard decision for Nathan and one that we spent a lot of time deliberating over. Particularly after a small sample size of three Tests... That's never a great phone call, is it?"

"Nathan was disappointed and really the message to him was much the same as at the start of the series, that we believe he has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level. But just given the way the series has played out, we just want the option of throwing something different at India for this next Test."

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Australian chief selector George Bailey, while speaking to the local media, commented on Nathan McSweeney being dropped for the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25:

"[It was a] really hard decision for Nathan and one that we spent a lot of time deliberating over. Particularly after a small sample size of three Tests... That's never a great phone call, is it?"

"Nathan was disappointed and really the message to him was much the same as at the start of the series, that we believe he has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level. But just given the way the series has played out, we just want the option of throwing something different at India for this next Test."

A harsh but good decision in current scenario

 

[BouncerGuy]

2 bad games and he is out of the Australia squad for Test 4 and 5 against India.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1870295720844226964

 

[FearlessRoar]

Nathan McSweeney reacted to being dropped for the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 while speaking to local media:

“Yeah, I am devastated, I got the dream come true and then didn’t quite work the way I wanted. But it’s all part of it and I’ll get my head down and get back in the nets and work hard and hopefully be ready to go for the next opportunity."

“It’s the game we’re in. 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 ready."

 

[FearlessRoar]

Nathan McSweeney smashed 77* off 49 at No.3 in the BBL 2024-25 after being dropped for the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

 

[jnaveen1980]

He will have his time. Probably batting out of position. Also ran into Bumrah. He just had to see off Bumrah which he couldn't do as other end was not remotely as threatening. In some matches he managed to hang around at the non striker end. But threat was always there