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David Warner's Test plea around Nathan McSweeney amid reality check for Marnus Labuschagne

McSweeney has some big shoes to fill after being picked as Warner's successor.

andrew reid
·4-min read

David Warner has urged Aussie selectors to give Test debutant Nathan McSweeney at least two home summers to prove himself, while also giving Marnus Labuschagne a reality check ahead of the Border-Gavaskar series. Australia's five-Test series against India gets underway at Perth's Optus Stadium on Friday and all eyes will be on McSweeney and how Australia's newest opener adapts to Test cricket.

McSweeney's brilliant form for South Australia in Sheffield Shield, and also for Australia A in their recent two-match series against India A, saw the 25-year-old get the nod ahead of established openers Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft. McSweeney normally bats at first drop for his state but has been chosen to succeed Warner as Usman Khawaja's new batting partner at the top of the order for Australia.

Pictured left to right are Aussie cricket stars Nathan McSweeney David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne.
David Warner has tipped Marnus Labuschagne to rediscover his form with the bat and predicted Nathan McSweeney to thrive as Australia's new Test opener. Pic: Getty

And Warner has thrown his backing behind McSweeney's call-up after declared he has the right batting technique and temperament to make a successful Test opener. He even predicted the Test debutant would finish the series with the highest score of any batter. “It’s a great time for him to come in; it’s a big series,” Warner said during Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports' launch of Australia’s Summer of Cricket on Tuesday.

“I think he’s got the technique (and) the patience to partner up with Uzzie to allow himself to score big. I’ve pencilled him (McSweeney) in for the highest run score this (summer), so I’m looking forward to that. I’m also looking forward to seeing how he adapts batting with someone like Usman Khawaja as well, because it’s a partnership that you have to build.

Seen here, Nathan McSweeney batting for Australia A.
David Warner has urged selectors to be patient with Nathan McSweeney and says the opener should be given at least two home summers to prove himself at Test level. Pic: Getty

While Warner says he expects to see McSweeney hit the ground running, he's also pleaded for selectors to show patience with the 25-year-old if things don't go to plan this summer. With Khawaja turning 38 next month and entering the twilight of his Test career, Warner says McSweeney should be given at least the next two summer Test series at home - against India and then England - to try and cement his spot in the side.

“We’ve just got to be patient with all the guys that are coming through now. Uzzie is touching on 38 now as well, he’s probably got another 12 to 18 months to go," Warner said about his former opening partner. “He’s (McSweeney) 25 years of age; you’ve got to give guys a crack... it’d be exciting just to see him score some runs first (and) establish himself. But if he doesn’t, just give him some time, give him maybe two summers.”

The Aussies are hoping to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar trophy for the first time since 2017 and restore some pride after losing their last two home Test series against India. And Warner admits it looms as a big series for the likes of Aussie batters Labuschagne and Steve Smith, whose form at Test level over the last 18 months has not be up to their usually lofty standards.

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“Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne... probably in their right minds, are overdue for some runs," Warner said. “I think Marnus is really up for the series; I’m hoping that he has a big series for Australia.” Since the start of last year's Ashes series in England, Labuschagne has only averaged 29.68 in Test cricket, way down on his career batting average of 58.23.

He's far from the only Aussie batter who will be desperate for runs against India, with Smith averaging 35.14 and Travis Head 28.68 across the same period since the Ashes. Head's swashbuckling ton against the West Indies last summer remains the only century he's scored from his past 23 Test innings.

Warner believes wickets around the world have been contributing to lower than normal scores with the bat but hopes the pitches in Australia this summer are conducive to runs. “The wickets have been quite challenging - hopefully this year we get some better batting wickets, being batting biased, because I know what our fast bowlers are capable of," Warner added. "You’ve got over 1,000 wickets in that armour, so I’m excited for them.”