Nathan McSweeney has spoken for the first time since being dropped from Australia’s squad for the final two Tests of the series against India. McSweeney’s international career did not get off to a good start as he scored just 72 runs in six innings in the first three Tests of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
McSweeney, 25, was sacked on Friday and replaced by 19-year-old Sam Konstas, who now stars alongside Usman Khawaja Australia become the front-runners to open the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melbourne.
“Yeah, I mean devastated, my dream came true and it didn’t go exactly the way I wanted it to. But it’s all part of it and I’m going to put my head down, get back to the Nets and work really hard. Just work hard and hopefully be ready for the next opportunity,” McSweeney told Channel 7.
“I think that’s the game we’re in, if you don’t take your chances and don’t perform to the level you want, your position is never safe. I missed the bat a couple of times and unfortunately I couldn’t Take advantage of this opportunity,” he added.
“I’m sad that the dream came true but it didn’t quite go the way I wanted it to.
“But it’s all part of the story and I’ll keep my head down…”
Nathan McSweeney on getting fired and what happens next #AUSWINpic.twitter.com/5tVikWsIml— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 21, 2024
Michael Clarke not happy with Nathan McSweeney being left out
Former Australia captain Michael Clark criticized the selectors for dropping Nathan McSweeney for the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Clark, 43, believes McSweeney plays in tough conditions and deserves more opportunities.
“Nathan McSweeney was knocked out. I can’t believe it. Whoever they pick for the starting spot, they have to give them this series. I think the selectors got it wrong. We have Usman who’s 38 “Usman Khawaja is 6 years old and he hasn’t played a match,” Clark said on the Beyond 23 Cricket podcast.
“You’re going to start batting in Perth, day-night Tests in Adelaide and the Gabba… the toughest places in the world to bat. He hit an unreal 40 (139) in Adelaide… that’s It will be the toughest batting conditions he will face.
We have Marnus Labuschagne, we talked about him before the series, before he scored 60. Smith is batting like a genius and scored a hard-fought 100 here, but he was under constant pressure. With the exception of McSweeney, everyone is over 30 and in their 30s.
Are we going to keep playing young guys for two or three games and then try other guys and keep these older guys? What happens if Usman Khawaja retires from both Test matches? Will McSweeney return later or be at the back of the queue? This could end his career,” he added.