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Cricket Australia have named their men’s squad for the five-match Test series against India. The first Test is scheduled to be played at the Perth Stadium from November 22-26.
Nathan McSweeney gets maiden call-up for Australia
Nathan McSweeney is set to make his Test debut as Australia’s opening batter against India in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. McSweeney will partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order along with Travis Head and Steve Smith.
McSweeney’s strong domestic performances have secured him the opening role over other contenders, including Marcus Smith, Sam Konstas and Cam Bancroft. Australia’s chief selector George Bailey highlighted McSweeney’s resilience and recent success with South Australia and Australia A as reasons for his selection. “Nathan has displayed the attributes we believe will equip him well for Test cricket, along with a strong recent record in domestic cricket,” Bailey said in an official statement. “His performances for South Australia and Australia A support our view he is ready for this opportunity.”
In a surprising move, selectors also brought in England-born wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis in the 13-member Test squad. While chairman of selectors Trevor Bailey had previously dismissed the idea of Inglis as an opener, he emphasized that Inglis’s exceptional form warranted his inclusion in the squad as a specialist batter.
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Inglis’s selection, while unexpected, underscores his impressive Sheffield Shield form for Western Australia, where he has scored two centuries in two matches.
“Similarly, Josh has been in great touch in the Sheffield Shield and deserves his place in his first test squad,” added Bailey.
Australia rarely includes an extra specialist batter or wicketkeeper in Test squads, usually opting for additional bowling options, making Inglis’s inclusion even more notable. He joins incumbent wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who has been in outstanding form with two centuries and 452 runs in the Sheffield Shield.
Bowling selections remain strong, with Scott Boland joining captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood as part of Australia’s pace attack. Boland’s solid performance against India A helped solidify his position as a key backup bowler.
Australia’s Test squad for the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Pat Cummins (c), Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Alex Carey (wk), Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland
