McSweeney and Inglis are included in the Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener
Australia has handed maiden Test call-ups to Nathan McSweeney and Josh Inglis for the opening match of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, scheduled in Perth from November 22.
McSweeney is expected to make his Test debut in the series opener.
The pair are the only new additions to the 13-member squad, which otherwise includes the regulars across all departments.
Captain Pat Cummins will lead the pace attack alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, with Scott Boland serving as the additional pace option.
Nathan Lyon remains the sole specialist spinner in the squad, while Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head are expected to provide additional slow-bowling support when required.
Alex Carey continues as the first-choice wicketkeeper and is in excellent form with the bat in the Sheffield Shield, where he currently leads the run-scoring charts with two centuries and a fifty from six innings.
Inglis’ inclusion is not just as a backup wicketkeeper but also as a reserve batter, with his dual abilities adding versatility to the squad.
The Western Australian has been in good form domestically, ranked fourth among the top run-scorers in the Shield season, just ahead of McSweeney.
The competition for the opener’s slot, however, came down to McSweeney and Sam Konstas, as Inglis has been batting lower down the order.
Both McSweeney and Konstas impressed during recent unofficial Tests for Australia A against India A, but McSweeney’s experience ultimately earned him the spot, with a Test debut likely in Perth.
Squad:
| Player Name |
|---|
| Pat Cummins (C) |
| Travis Head |
| Usman Khawaja |
| Nathan McSweeney |
| Steve Smith |
| Marnus Labuschagne |
| Mitch Marsh |
| Alex Carey |
| Josh Inglis |
| Mitchell Starc |
| Josh Hazlewood |
| Nathan Lyon |
| Scott Boland |
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