Nathan McSweeney is set to open for Australia in the first of five Tests against India this month, while Josh Inglis was a surprise inclusion in their 13-man squad Sunday. Since David Warner retired in January, no firm contender had emerged to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order in the blockbuster series starting in Perth on November 22. While Steve Smith initially stepped into the role, he failed to shine and will revert to his usual number four, behind Marnus Labuschagne.
Uncapped South Australian captain McSweeney, 25, firmed as the frontrunner after an impressive start to the domestic season.
But former Test players Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft, along with rising teen star Sam Konstas, were also in the picture.
It effectively culminated in a “bat-off” in two Australia A v India A four-day red-ball clashes over the past fortnight.
McSweeney put himself in pole position with an impressive unbeaten 88 in the first match at Mackay, coming in at number four.
Promoted to open in the second match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, he made just 14 and 25, but selectors had seen enough.
“Nathan has displayed the attributes we believe will equip him well for Test cricket along with a strong recent record in domestic cricket,” said chief selector George Bailey.
“His performances for South Australia and Australia A weighed in his favour and supports our view he is ready for the opportunity at Test level.”
Travis Head is expected to come in at five with Mitchell Marsh filling the allrounder role after Cameron Green was ruled out of the series following surgery on his spine.
Alex Carey will be behind the stumps, with white-ball opener Inglis picked ahead of Harris, Bancroft and Konstas.
Bailey had previously indicated Inglis was not being considered as a Test opener, meaning he would be the back-up batsman.
“Josh has been in great touch in the Sheffield Shield competition and deserves his place in his first Test squad,” said Bailey.
Veteran pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc again lead the attack, alongside spin king Nathan Lyon, who will play his 130th Test in Perth, looking to add to his 530 wickets.
Scott Boland is the spare quick, with fellow seamer and rival Michael Neser injured in Australia A’s game in Mackay and not considered.
After Perth, the series moves to Adelaide for a day-nighter, then Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (capt), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc
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