Cricket Australia have named their males’s squad for the five-match Check sequence in opposition to India. The primary Check is scheduled to be performed on the Perth Stadium from November 22-26.
Nathan McSweeney will get maiden call-up for Australia
Nathan McSweeney is about to make his Check debut as Australia’s opening batter in opposition to India within the first Check of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. McSweeney will associate Usman Khawaja on the high of the order together with Travis Head and Steve Smith.
McSweeney’s sturdy home performances have secured him the opening function over different contenders, together with Marcus Smith, Sam Konstas and Cam Bancroft. Australia’s chief selector George Bailey highlighted McSweeney’s resilience and up to date success with South Australia and Australia A as causes for his choice. “Nathan has displayed the attributes we imagine will equip him properly for Check cricket, together with a powerful current file in home cricket,” Bailey mentioned in an official assertion. “His performances for South Australia and Australia A assist our view he’s prepared for this chance.”
In a stunning transfer, selectors additionally introduced in England-born wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis within the 13-member Check squad. Whereas chairman of selectors Trevor Bailey had beforehand dismissed the thought of Inglis as an opener, he emphasised that Inglis’s distinctive kind warranted his inclusion within the squad as a specialist batter.
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Inglis’s choice, whereas surprising, underscores his spectacular Sheffield Defend kind for Western Australia, the place he has scored two centuries in two matches.
“Equally, Josh has been in nice contact within the Sheffield Defend and deserves his place in his first check squad,” added Bailey.
Australia hardly ever contains an additional specialist batter or wicketkeeper in Check squads, normally choosing extra bowling choices, making Inglis’s inclusion much more notable. He joins incumbent wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who has been in excellent kind with two centuries and 452 runs within the Sheffield Defend.
Bowling picks stay sturdy, with Scott Boland becoming a member of captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood as a part of Australia’s tempo assault. Boland’s stable efficiency in opposition to India A helped solidify his place as a key backup bowler.
Australia’s Check squad for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Pat Cummins (c), Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Alex Carey (wk), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland