Categories: Cricket

Open and shut cases: how Australia’s Test opener contenders shape up after ‘bat off’ | Martin Pegan

Nathan McSweeney has emerged as the frontrunner in the race to claim the opening spot after a pair of composed and classy innings against India A

The Australian Test team is said to be harder to get into than to get out of it, but 10 months after David Warner’s long goodbye a spot at the top of the order is still there for the taking. The lack of obvious alternatives helped Warner hang on until his self-proclaimed Sydney farewell, but after an experiment with Steve Smith partnering Usman Khawaja as opener, a new frontrunner for the role is finally emerging.

Nathan McSweeney showcased his credentials with a composed 39 then added a classy, unbeaten 88 to steer Australia A to victory over India A in Mackay. The pair of contrasting knocks, the first full of fight while the next was more free-flowing without adding unnecessary risk, has edged McSweeney ahead of Test discards Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft, as well as young gun Sam Konstas in the race to replace Warner.

Source: Cricket - The Guardian