McSweeney named to open for Australia against India in 1st test

SYDNEY (AP) — Nathan McSweeney is set to open the batting on debut for Australia against India in the first test of the Border-Gavaskar series in Perth this month after being named in a 13-man squad on Sunday.

The selectors played a wild card by also calling up England-born wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis who will captain Australia in the third one-day international against Pakistan on Sunday.

Chairman of selectors George Bailey previously ruled out Inglis as a candidate to open the batting but said his form was such he would be considered to play as a specialist batter in another.

That likely means McSweeney will open the batting with Usman Khawaja in the first test at Perth Stadium which starts on Nov. 22. He has been preferred in the opening role to Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas and Cam Bancroft.

“Nathan has displayed the attributes we believe will equip him well for test cricket along with a strong recent record in domestic cricket," Bailey said. “His performances for South Australia and Australia A weighed in his favor and supports our view he is ready for the opportunity at test level.

“Similarly, Josh has been in great touch in the Sheffield Shield and deserves his place in his first test squad.”

Inglis' call-up is still a surprise as Australia has seldom named an extra batter or additional specialist wicketkeeper in a test squad, preferring to carry an extra bowler.

McSweeney who captains South Australia, sealed his place with strong performances for Australia A against India A over the past two weeks. His innings of 39 and 88 not out in the first match of the A series saw him promoted to open in the second match, the first time he has opened the batting in his first-class career.

Inglis' promotion reflects his excellent form for West Australia in the Sheffield Shield this season. He has two centuries from two matches at Perth.

Incumbent wicketkeeper Alex Carey also has two centuries in the Sheffield Shield and is the leading run-scorer in the competition with 452. He made 98 in Australia's most recent test against New Zealand in Christchurch.

Scott Boland has been favored as the extra fast bowler behind captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

An injured hamstring for swing bowler Michael Neser during the India A game scuttled his hopes, despite an impressive spell that yielded four top-order wickets.

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Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket