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Cricket Australia on Sunday, November 10 announced 13-member squad for the upcoming first Test of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25. In a surprising move, the Australian cricket board has named uncapped South Australian captain, Nathan McSweeney in the side, who is likely to open the innings with veteran Usman Khawaja in the opening Test, starting on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
Along with Nathan McSweeney, the board has also included Josh Inglis into the side as a reserved batter. It is to be noted that a few days ago, Cricket Australia named Josh Inglis as the captain of the Pakistan series after Pat Cummins joined the training camp ahead of the highly-anticipated five-match Test series against India.
Nathan McSweeney to open with Usman Khawaja in Perth Test against India
Earlier, National Selection Panel Chair, George Bailey has ruled out the possibility of Inglis opening in the Test team alongside Usman Khawaja, this leaves the spot for Nathan McSweeney, who appears certain to play. “Nathan has displayed the attributed we believe will equip him well for Test cricket along with a strong recent record in domestic cricket. His performances for South Australia and Australia A weighed in his favour and supports our view he is ready for the opportunity at Test level,” George Bailey said as quoted in the CA release.
“Similarly, Josh has been in great touch in the Sheffield Shield competition and deserves his place in his first Test squad,” he further added. The Australian Test squad is set to assemble in Perth next Sunday, November 17, just five days prior to the first Test, however it remains unclear if they will be joined immediately by Inglis, who will also lead Australia in the T20I series against Pakistan following the completion of the ODI leg.
Australia’s squad for Perth Test against India
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc
