New Delhi: Australia opener Nathan McSweeney might have fallen to Jasprit Bumrah on three out of his first four innings in Test cricket but still backs himself to be gradual comfortable against the star India pacer during the third Test that begins in Brisbane on December 14.
A No.3 batter in Australia’s domestic cricket, he was asked to open in the Border-Gavaskar series opener at Perth to fill up the slot vacated by the retired David Warner, getting out cheaply to Bumrah in both innings as Australia lost by 295 runs.
He was also dismissed by Bumrah in the first innings of the day night Test at Adelaide but only after a gutsy 39-run knock off 109 balls with six boundaries that took the sting out of the brand new pink ball.
The right hander remained not out on 10 off 12 balls as Australia win by 10 wickets to square the five-match series 1-1.
“To get a bowler like Jasprit early in my career, it’s not going to get much tougher than that and I take some confidence from getting through a spell in Adelaide. The more I face, the more comfortable I’ll get against him,” McSweeney told cricket.com.au.
‘Bumrah unique bowler’
Bumrah has been India’s leading bowler in the series so far, claiming 12 wickets in the two matches. McSweeney said he hopes to land some punches on him in Brisbane.
“Facing him for the first time – he’s quite a unique bowler. He’s obviously world-class and a bit different to most bowlers I’ve faced. [It’s about adapting to his angle and where he delivers on the crease,” he said.
“I got two pretty good balls from him [in Perth], so to try and wear that on the chin and trust what I’ve been doing is going to be good enough.
“He got me again in Adelaide – he’s a great bowler, and really enjoying the experience of trying to work out a game plan on the run against a world-class player. Hopefully, I’ll get better the more I face him and can throw a few more punches here at the Gabba.”
A No.3 batter in Australia’s domestic cricket, Nathan McSweeny has been asked to open in the Border-Gavaskar series Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
