New Delhi: Former Australia skipper Michael Clarke feels that the Australian selectors have committed an error by axing Nathan McSweeney midway through the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He said that the snub could potentially “end his career”. McSweeney only made his Test debut last month, against India in the series opener in Perth. On Wednesday, he was dropped from the squad as the selectors added teenage sensation Sam Konstas for the remainder of the series against India.
“Nathan McSweeney has been dropped. I can’t believe that. No matter who they picked in that opening position, they had to give them the series. I think the selectors have got this wrong. We’ve got Usman Khawaja who is 38 years old, he’s made no runs. He’s a senior player,” Clarke spoke on the Beyond 23 Cricket podcast. In the six innings that he played for Australia, he scored 10, 0, 39, 10 not out, 9 and 4.
On the other hand, the experienced opener Usman Khawaja was no better with scores of 8, 4, 13, 9 not out, 21, and 8 in the three games played so far. Clarke defended the young batters debuting in Australia, arguing that they have to deal with the toughest batting conditions. McSweeney had to face the spells of “best bowler” Jasprit Bumrah who dismissed the 25-year-old several times in the series.
Clarke lauded McSweeney’s batting efforts in Perth, Brisbane, and specially Adelaide where he scored 39 runs in the first innings as the former cricketer called the venue as the “toughest batting conditions he will ever face in his career.”
Will the senior members get the same treatment?
Clarke went on to raise a pertinent question asking if the selectors will treat the underperforming seniors of the team in a similar manner after a few failures. “We’ve got Marnus Labuschagne, who we were talking about before the series, before he made a 60. He has made no runs.” Clarke pointed out an under-pressure Steven Smith and said, “Everyone apart from McSweeney is over 30 years of age, and high 30s.”
“Are we going to keep giving youngsters two or three games and then try someone else and keep these older players?” he asked. What happens if Usman Khawaja retires in two Test matches? Does McSweeney then come back in or does he go to the back of the queue? This could end his career,” Clarke said.
(With PTI inputs)
Michael Clarke feels that the decision to drop Nathan McSweeney from Australia squad is not apt and reasons why he was required for the full Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which has two Tests remaining. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
