BGT: McSweeney Ousted, Konstas Secures Spot in Australia Squad for Final Two Tests Against India

Melbourne, Dec 20 (NationPress) Young opener Nathan McSweeney has been excluded while uncapped Sam Konstas has received his first call-up to the Australia Test squad for the final two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Melbourne and Sydney.

Konstas takes McSweeney's place, whose position in Australia's XI was under significant scrutiny following two low scores during the drawn third Test at the Gabba.

McSweeney, who had not opened in professional cricket prior to this season, has accumulated 72 runs at an average of 14.40 in the first three Tests.

Konstas has made a sensational start in his first full summer of senior cricket after excelling at the under-19 World Cup in South Africa earlier this year.

He scored 152 and 105 in New South Wales' Sheffield Shield opener against South Australia, and followed that with an unbeaten 73 for Australia A at the MCG against India A.

The 19-year-old Konstas could potentially become the second-youngest player and the youngest specialist batter to debut for Australia since former captain Ian Craig, who played against South Africa at the MCG in 1953 at the age of 17 years and 239 days.

Chief selector George Bailey stated, "We remain confident Nathan has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level in the future. It was a tough decision to leave him out. Clearly, it has been challenging at the top of the order for batters throughout the series, and we aim to provide a different lineup for the upcoming matches."

He further remarked, "Sam's inclusion in the Test squad for the first time reflects his distinctive batting style, and we eagerly anticipate witnessing his development."

Meanwhile, fast bowler Jhye Richardson has been added to the squad following recovery from multiple injuries. His last Test appearance was during the 2021-22 Ashes.

Fellow pacer Sean Abbott and uncapped all-rounder Beau Webster are also included ahead of the Boxing Day Test.

With Hazlewood out for the remainder of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Series due to a calf injury, Scott Boland is anticipated to return to the lineup for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.

The Border-Gavaskar series currently stands at 1-1, with the pivotal fourth Test commencing on December 26 before heading to Sydney for the final Test.

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head (vc), Steve Smith (vc), Sean Abbott, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster