‘Could end his career’: Opener ‘devastated’ by axing, great says selectors ‘must admit mistake’

Australian cricket legend Mike Hussey says Nathan McSweeney’s axing for the Boxing Day Test is a “tough call” as teenage prodigy Sam Konstas earns an “exciting” opportunity to potentially debut.

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McSweeney has been dropped for the upcoming Boxing Day Test in a bold move from the Australian selectors after the South Australian failed to make more than 10 runs in five of his six Test innings since making his debut last month.

Head selector George Bailey admitted replacing McSweeney after just three tests was a “really hard decision,” with the 25-year old thrown in at the top of the order despite not being a specialist opener at state level.

It’s a decision that left McSweeney “devastated”.

“I get the dream come true, and then it didn’t quite work out the way I wanted,” he told 7 News Adelaide.

“But it’s all part of it, I’ll get my head down and get back in the nets and work really hard, and hopefully be ready to go for the next opportunity. It’s the game we’re in; if you don’t take your opportunity and you’re not performing as well as you want to, your position’s never safe.

“I missed out a few times with the bat and unfortunately wasn’t able to take my opportunity, but as I said I’ll work really hard to make sure if the opportunity comes round again I’m definitely ready.”

Hussey expressed sympathy for McSweeney given he hasn’t been the only Aussie struggling to make runs.

“I really feel for McSweeney. I think it’s tough on him. Tough call,” Hussey said on Fox Cricket.

“I don’t know (if it was the right call). It’s a tough one on him. It’s not easy. The ball’s been moving around quite a lot for the openers. A lot of batters at the top of the order have been battling away.

“Let’s look at the other side, and it’s so exciting for a player like Sam Konstas.”

Indeed, 19-year old Konstas gets a big call-up and possible debut in front of 90,000-plus fans at the MCG next week.

It follows impressive form across all formats from the young gun, who’s the only other specialist opener outside of Usman Khawaja in the Aussie squad.

Coming off 56 runs against the Adelaide Strikers, Konstas will again play for Sydney Thunder in Saturday night’s Big Bash clash with the Sydney Sixers before heading to Melbourne to join the rest of the Australian Test team.

“I was very impressed. It was the first time I’d seen him live,” Hussey said of Konstas’ half-century for the Thunder.

“He must be absolutely buzzing. What an occasion to make your Test debut. Boxing Day Test against India, opening the batting, he’s only 19 years of age. Wow. What a story and good luck to him.”

But former Australian captain Michael Clarke was less kind about the decision, criticising the axing of one of the rare young members of the Test side.

“Everyone apart from Nathan McSweeney is over 30 years of age, and high 30s. What are we going to do? Continue to give a youngster two or three games, drop him, try someone else and keep these older players?” Clarke said on the Beyond23 cricket podcast.

“What happens if Usman Khawaja in two Test matches retires? Does McSweeney then come back in, or does he go to the back of the queue? They (selectors) have got to come out and say: ‘We made a mistake picking him.’ This could end Nathan McSweeney’s career. They picked him, he deserved the summer.”

Fellow Aussie great Adam Gilchrist thinks Konstas should relish Saturday night’s BBL game in his home state, suggesting his 56-run performance in Canberra clinched his call-up to the Test team.

“Let’s deal with tomorrow night first. I’d play him. I’d let him go out there and just enjoy the fact that he’s been picked. Enjoy a home crowd and keep that momentum going,” Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.

“I think it’s that innings (Konstas’ 50 for the Thunder) that tipped it in his favour. That’s not Jasprit Bumrah bowling to you down at Manuka Oval, I get that, but his aggression. His desire to score and get a game moving.

“It’s been horribly challenging for that Australian top order. Particularly, McSweeney coming in, but I think that statement that Sam Konstas made there, that he’s a big man. He’ll stand up and take it on, and it’s going to be amazing to watch.

“We’ll see what rolls out. Could be any number of permutations for that Australian team come Boxing Day.“