• Home
  • Match Hub
  • Ashes Reject Nathan Mcsweeney Smashes Career Best 222 In Bold Reply To Aussie Selectors

Ashes reject Nathan McSweeney smashes career-best 222 in bold reply to Aussie selectors

Akshita Patel

Nathan McSweeney takes first class by storm [Source: @NorthantsCCC/X.com]Nathan McSweeney takes first class by storm [Source: @NorthantsCCC/X.com]

Nathan McSweeney made a strong and loud statement with the bat. He smashed his maiden first-class double century against England Lions in the ongoing unofficial Test match at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane. 

The discarded Australia opener, who was recently dropped from the national side, turned his frustration into runs and reminded everyone of what he is capable of. 

Nathan McSweeney knocks on the Australian selectors’ door

After England Lions were bowled out for just 166 on Day 1, Nathan McSweeney walked in to bat at number three for Australia A. 

He ended the first day on 40*. But on Day 2, he changed gears completely. With calm control and growing confidence, McSweeney remained unbeaten at the crease all day, finishing on 222, the highest first-class score of his career.

The best he had scored earlier was 127* for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield 2024/25, but this innings was in another league altogether.

Nathan McSweeney showed patience early on and then dominated the bowlers as the day went on. After Australia A lost Matt Renshaw early, McSweeney added 72 runs with Campbell Kellaway, who scored 71. 

He then built a big 135-run partnership with Cooper Connolly, who was unfortunate to fall just 12 short of his maiden first-class century. 

This knock could be a major turning point in McSweeney’s career. He made his Test debut during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 but failed to score a fifty in six innings and was dropped for Sam Konstas in the final two Tests. 

Since then, he has not featured for Australia, with Jake Weatherald being called up for the Ashes squad instead.

Beau Webster also makes a statement

Next came Beau Webster, who had been released from the Australian squad for the Brisbane Test. He supported Nathan McSweeney well, as the pair added 117 runs for the fourth wicket. 

McSweeney’s third big partnership of the innings came with pacer Xavier Bartlett, who also had the best first-class score of his career, scoring 83. Their stand helped Australia A reach a massive 554/7 by the end of the day, giving them a huge lead of 388 runs.