“Still trying to work out if he should be playing this game” - Former Australia captain trolls Nathan McSweeney after BGT 2024-25 2nd Test
Former Australia captain Mark Taylor was not pleased with new opener Nathan McSweeney’s performance in the first two Tests of the five-game series against India. He said the 25-year-old showed promise with the bat but was nowhere near the standards set by previous Aussie openers. He reckoned that the youngster needs to work on his technique to stay with the senior team in the long run.
The reaction came after McSweeney scored 39 runs off 109 balls before falling prey to Jasprit Bumrah for the third time in the series. During his knock, McSweeney shared a crucial 67-run partnership with Marnus Labuschagne (64 off 126 deliveries) for the second wicket in a tricky last session on Day 1.
The right-handed batter stayed unbeaten on 10 in the fourth innings as Australia chased down a modest 19 to level the series 1-1.
Nathan McSweeney was included in the Australia squad after smashing 88* in the in a winning cause for the first unofficial Test for Australia A against India A. He, however, returned with scores of 10 and a duck on his debut, the first Test of the series in Perth, where India won by 295 runs.
Mark Taylor said (via Sydney Morning Herald):
“Marnus has made hundreds – he’s been under pressure, but he knows how to play this game. Nathan McSweeney is still trying to work out if he should be playing this game. He showed on the first night that he is, that he can make at this level, and even in the little short run chase, he played some nice shots.”
“If he can keep that going and growing in confidence, he can be a Test cricketer for a long time. When you get to this level, yes, it’s about technique, but it is also about belief. Are you good enough, do you think you’re good enough,” he added.
“Every time he’s come out on top” - Mark Taylor backs under-fire Steve Smith to deliver for Australia in remaining Tests
Mark Taylor, meanwhile, backed out-of-form Steve Smith to deliver in the remainder of the Test series after flopping thrice in the first two Tests. The 60-year-old said in the same interaction:
“I think with Steve Smith you’re seeing a continuing evolution. He’s always trying to work out how he can stay in front of the bowlers. He’s modified his technique a number of times throughout his career, and nearly every time he’s come out on top."
"At the moment, caught down the leg side, a little unfortunate, but he’ll know that the Gabba in a week’s time is another opportunity. So, I don’t hold any fears for Steve Smith. I think he’ll be fine,” he added.
Smith has returned with 0, 17, and 2 in his last three outings in the ongoing five-game series. However, he averages 60.61 with 2061 runs in 21 Tests against India, comprising nine centuries.