Captain’s orders for newest Test batter

Australian captain Pat Cummins has urged rookie opener Nathan McSweeney not to try to “imitate David Warner” in his Test debut against India, declaring there is no escaping the pressure on his side to win after back-to-back home series losses to the visitors.

McSweeney is the first Australian Test debutant since spinner Matthew Kuhnemann played the first of his three Tests, all against India, in February 2023

McSweeney has been converted into an opener amid failed auditions by specialists in the lead-up to the series.

The 25-year-old, who averages 38 in first class cricket, got a taste of what’s to come opening the batting for Australia A against India A but will face a completely different test in the form of Indian star, and captain, Jasprit Bumrah when he gets to bat in Perth.

Warner, who retired from Test cricket last summer having racked up 8786 runs and 26 centuries in his stellar career, threw his support behind the call to pick McSweeney and he should get “maybe two summers” to establish himself at the top of the order, calling for patience.

Cummins said the newest member of the team needed only to be himself despite being handed the tall order of taking over from Warner, a swashbuckling batter who dominated opposition bowling attacks.

“Davey is very hard to replace in many ways, but I think the most important thing for someone like Nath coming in is to play his own game,” he said.

“He doesn’t need to strike at 80 like Davey did if that’s not his game.

“I’d love to see them bring the best out of each other.”

Having lost the past two home series against India, Cummins said taking down the tourists was “the last thing to tick” for the reigning World Test champions and ODI World Cup winners.

“I think for about half the changeroom, we haven’t won … it’s kinda the last thing to tick off for a lot of us,” Cummins said.

“We’re all excited, we know India are right up there with the best teams.

“They are missing a couple of guys we are more familiar with, but we know that whoever they pick they will obviously think are good enough for Test cricket.”

In the absence of injured all-rounder Cameron Green, Cummins confirmed Mitch Marsh would bowl “as much as we need him”, with the likes of Marnus Labuschagne and even Travis Head able to make up overs as needed.

Marsh has bowled rarely in recent Test series and little in the lead-up having suffered a serious hamstring injury during the IPL in May.

“We never put an upper limit on anyone,” Cummins said.

“He will definitely bowl this Test. He is an all-rounder and with the way us four bowlers set out, we never really budget around an all-rounder bowling heaps.

“I would imagine a few spells each innings. He is ready to go and he’s been bowling great this week. His body is the best it has been for a while.

“He’s ready to go and happy to bowl as much as we need.”