Perth: Australia's next Test opener Nathan McSweeney has revealed he has already started his preparations on how to cope with the threat of India's potent pace bowling attack during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar series.
Some impressive recent performances at domestic level and for Australia A saw McSweeney included in Australia's 13-player squad for the series opener in Perth and the uncapped right-hander looks almost certain to partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the Aussies' batting order for the crucial ICC World Test Championship contest.
While McSweeney looked composed against the new ball when thrust into the opening position against India A at the MCG last week, the 25-year-old faces a different proposition in Perth when he will face up against the likes of star quick Jasprit Bumrah and enigmatic pacer Mohammed Siraj.
McSweeney is trying to be as prepared as possible for his potential Test debut and has already started watching clips of India's quicks in an attempt to be ready for a likely new-ball barrage from Bumrah and Co.
“I’ll definitely dive a lot deeper into it when I get to Perth, but I can't help myself,” McSweeney told Australian radio station SEN on Tuesday.
“I've looked at a few clips of what they're bowling attack stacks up like," he said.
“I’m just trying to visualise how I'm going to go about it. Facing a new bowler can be a slight challenge to just pick up their action," McSweeney said.
“I've got a whole week before I head off to Perth so I can get mentally ready and I guess it starts now in preparation to hopefully start really well,' he said.
“But there’s probably not (much you can do to replicate how Bumrah bowls)," McSweeney said.
“Obviously he's got a unique action, he's one of the best bowlers in the world, so it's going to be hard to mimic that, that's for sure," McSweeney said.
“I'm just looking forward to all of that and I can't wait,” he said.
McSweeney is fifth on the list of leading run-scorers in the ongoing domestic Sheffield Shield competition in Australia and earned his Test call-up on the back of some solid contributions for Australia A in recent matches against India A in Mackay and Melbourne, an ICC report said.
It's been a long time coming for McSweeney, who scored plenty of runs for Australia at the ICC Men's Under 19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand 2018 and has been knocking the door down in recent years while waiting for an opportunity at the highest level.
That chance looks set to come against India in Perth and McSweeney believes he is ready to take the opportunity with both hands.
“In the last month or so I really feel like I'm batting the best I ever have,” McSweeney said.
“I think I'm the best I've ever been prepared to take this opportunity, so hopefully I can do that," he said.
“No doubt there's plenty of learning and experiences that I haven't experienced yet and I'm looking forward to learning all about the challenges of Test cricket and challenging my game against the very best," McSweeney said.
“There’s plenty of learning to go and plenty of improvement I hope, but I definitely feel like this is the best I’ve played and I’m ready for the challenge,” he said.
While McSweeney will be trying to replicate the amount of runs previous opener David Warner managed for Australia, the right-hander can't promise he will be able to match the scoring rate his predecessor managed throughout his illustrious career.
“I think decision-making is the most important thing for my game. If I'm making good decisions,
I generally get to spend some time out in the middle,” McSweeney said.
“Being an opening batter, it’s making sure I'm leaving the ball well and making the bowlers are bowling to me," he said.
“Then being ready and positive to score when they miss is as simple as I want to make it," McSweeney said.
“If I'm reacting well and doing those things well, hopefully, it equates to me spending time in the middle and chipping away at the scoreboard,” he added.
