“I think the selectors have got this wrong” - Michael Clarke slams Australia over dropping batter for BGT 2024-25 4th and 5th Tests
Former Australia captain Michael Clarke has criticized the selectors for dropping Nathan McSweeney for the remainder of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series against India. The opening batter was not included in the squad released by Cricket Australia recently, with Sam Konstas earning his maiden call-up instead.
After a drawn-out process, McSweeney was deemed the heir to the vacant opening position, as Steve Smith was restored to the middle order. However, the right-handed batter faced a tough start to his international career, particularly against an in-form Jasprit Bumrah.
McSweeney's scores across six innings read 10, 0, 39, 10*, 9, and 4 runs. His failure in the recently culminated drawn third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane proved to be the last straw for the selectors.
Michael Clarke lambasted chief selector George Bailey and the rest of the selection panel for not sticking through with Nathan McSweeney for the entire series.
"Nathan McSweeney has been dropped. I can't believe that. No matter who they picked in that opening position, they had to give them the series. I think the selectors have got this wrong. We've got Usman Khawaja who is 38 years old, he's made no runs. He's a senior player," Clarke said on the 'Beyond 23 Cricket' podcast.
"We've got Marnus Labuschagne, who we were talking about before the series, before he made a 60. He has made no runs. Smith batted like a genius and made a hard fought 100 here, but he's been under pressure. Everyone apart from McSweeney is over 30 years of age, and high 30s," Clarke questioned.
Bailey asserted that McSweeney is still in the reckoning for future assignments but felt Konstas' style of batting will suit Australia in the remaining matches against India.
"We remain confident Nathan has the ability and temperament to succeed at Test level in the future...It was a difficult decision to leave him out. Sam gets a call-up to the Test squad for the first time. His style of batting offers a point of difference and we look forward to watching his game develop further," Bailey said (via cricket.com.au).
Konstas is scheduled to feature in the Sydney Thunders' upcoming clash in the BBL before joining the squad for the Boxing Day Test.
"What happens if Usman Khawaja retires in two Test matches?" - Michael Clarke questions pecking order of openers
Clarke was unsure about the hierarchy of the pool of opening batters that Australia have at present. While veteran opening batter Usman Khawaja has expressed a desire to play until the next home season, there is immense pressure on him after a string of poor scores.
"What happens if Usman Khawaja retires in two Test matches? Does McSweeney then come back in or does he go to the back of the queue? They have got to come out and say, 'We made a mistake picking him'" Clarke added in the same interview.
"I wish him (Konstas) all the best. I hope he walks out there, and does well, lives his dream, makes a 100 on debut, something like that would be amazing," he concluded.
The fourth Test between India and Australia will begin on December 26 at the MCG. The series is currently level at 1-1, with the remaining matches having huge implications on the race for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.