Pat Cummins and Sam Konstas [Source: @MattyWhiteSEN, @CricCrazyJohns/x.com]
India and Australia are engaged in an intense action in Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The series stands at 1-1 after three matches. The action of the series will shift to the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day Test.
As per the latest reports, the Australian team is all set to make a major change for the upcoming match. The rise of Nathan McSweeney was a dream story, but it seems that the dream is about come to an end. Reports from CODE Sports and The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia is set to axe the South Australian captain. It is expected that the news will be official when the squad is announced on Friday afternoon.
Who Will Replace Nathan McSweeney?
Notably, Nathan McSweeney had not opened in first class matches before the responsibilities were given to given to him for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Since is debut in the purest format of the game, McSweeney has failed to translate his domestic performances into the international arena. In the six innings that he has batted so far, McSweeney has scored only 72 runs at an a average of 14.40.
The selectors are uncertain about McSweeney's place in the team and hence are thinking about dropping him. This automatically raised the question as to who will replace him in the squad?
Well, if reports are to be believed the 19 year old Sam Konstas is the frontrunner to take up McSweeney's place. It is also believed that the youngster might also make his Test debut during the MCG Test.
Besides Konstas, Josh Inglis, who was announced as a reserve batter for the series might also get a chance. The rumours also reveal that Beau Webster can also be in the discussion with some changes in the batting line-up. Pat Cummins and the Australian selectors will reportedly reveal their squad for MCG Test on Friday afternoon with Scot Boland all set to take up the place of injured Josh Hazlewood.