David Warner has backed Nathan McSweeney to be Australia’s new Test opening batsman, while delivering a brutal assessment as to why Cameron Bancroft’s ongoing technical woes should exclude him from selection.
While admitting he was still up for an unlikely Test recall, should the national selectors ask him to emerge from retirement, Warner said specialist openers Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris and Bancroft had not done enough to deserve a call-up for this month’s first Test against India in Perth.
The national selectors have yet to make a call on who will partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order, but Warner, the one-time opening bedrock, said McSweeney, who typically bats at No.3 when captaining South Australia, is the man the selectors should look to.
Backed by Davey: Nathan McSweeney has the support of David Warner.Credit: Getty Images
“I think Nathan McSweeney is a talent. I think they can run the gauntlet there with him opening the batting, though he bats three for South Australia. I think there is a leadership quality there as well, so there is a potential to throw him in there,” Warner, now a Fox Cricket commentator, said on Monday night.
“It could be just a six month’s thing. If it goes well, he could cement his spot. I think young Sam Konstas has got a lot of talent, maybe he might be that replacement for Usman Khawaja in 12 months time if Usman pulls the pin.
“We know what Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft bring to the table. They have been around. Unfortunately, they haven’t put the numbers on the board.”
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McSweeney, 25, has had a strong start to the first-class season, and top-scored in each of Australia A’s innings against India A in Mackay after Harris, Konstas and Bancroft all failed to impress in front of on-duty selector Tony Dodemaide.
The four batsmen are all likely to have another chance in the second A game at the MCG, beginning this week.McSweeney is uncapped at Test level, while Harris and Bancroft have had underwhelming Test careers. Harris averages 25.29 in 14 Tests without a century, while Bancroft - who has been dismissed three times without scoring and has not passed 33 in eight innings this summer - averages 26.23 in 10 Tests without a ton.
Bancroft’s propensity to plant his front foot and play behind his pad has been targeted by international and domestic bowlers.
“With both, I think they are still making the same mistakes. There is no air speed at the moment in Shield cricket and, unfortunately, you are playing at venues as well that don’t bounce,” Warner said.
“With Cameron Bancroft, his foot is still out to point. If someone is bowling 140, 145km/h, he is still going to make the same mistakes. In my eyes, it’s about his front foot being pointed out to point, and when there is faster air speed, so the bowlers are bowling faster, he is going to get rolled through LBW or get caught in the slips cordon. And he had that trouble when playing for Australia.
“Marcus Harris hasn’t had the greatest start he would like. I think he has still got the game but, at the moment, I think McSweeney is probably ahead of him, and I think Harris will be the travelling reserve.“
Warner, who retired last summer after 112 Tests, said he was still open to a recall, having publicly offered his services last month - should they be needed.
“I think a lot of it got taken out of context by some people but it is what it is. If I did get a call, why wouldn’t I say yes?” Warner said.
“I have probably had the same preparation but I might have to play a Shield game, though, to see how I go, but I don’t think I will be putting the pads on though.“
Former England captain Michael Vaughan says the national selectors should plump for the “next best batsman”, and that is West Australian Josh Inglis, the Australian white-ball team’s wicketkeeper.
“I think the next best batter for Australia is Josh Inglis. I would just get him into that line-up,” he said.
