In-form Nathan McSweeney has one foot in the Test team after being confirmed as opener for the final Australia A game.
The South Australia captain was the only contender for the vacant batting spot in Australia’s top six to fire in last week’s win against India A in Mackay.
McSweeney top-scored twice in the game, including hitting an unbeaten 88 in the second innings
He batted at No.4 but has been promoted to open with Marcus Harris in the four-day match at the MCG, starting on Thursday.
It is a huge show of confidence in the 25-year-old, who doesn’t open in the Sheffield Shield.
But McSweeney believes he could make the jump up to open at Test level and bat with veteran left-hander Usman Khawaja against India this summer.
David Warner – who retired from Tests in January, creating the vacancy for Steve Smith’s short-lived stint as opener – has thrown his support behind McSweeney.
“Looks a complete player and think he’s a good fit with ‘Uzzie’ (Khawaja) up at the top of the order,” Warner said on Wednesday after being announced as Sydney Thunder’s BBL captain.
“Sammy Konstas comes into it, maybe in a year’s time when ‘Uzzie’ hangs up the boots.”
Selectors will wait until at least after the first innings of Australia A’s match against India A before naming their Test squad, giving Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Sam Konstas all one last chance to impress.
After struggling in Mackay, NSW teenager Konstas will swap spots with McSweeney and bat at No.4.
McSweeney has become the clear favourite to take the injured Cameron Green’s spot in the Test XI.
There remains some chance he could come into the side and bat at No.3, with Pat Cummins indicating on Sunday it was possible Marnus Labuschgane could open with Khawaja instead.
Warner shot down the idea of Labuschagne moving up.
“We chopped and changed with ‘Smithy’ doing that role as well,” Warner said.
“Don’t think you need to upset that three and four, I know what Smudge’s (Smith) stance was on that, him going up then coming back, so don’t think you need to change.”
McSweeney looks likely to open, with his only previous experience against the new ball being when his side has lost early wickets.
Not since Victorian Richie Robinson in the first Test of the 1977 Ashes has an Australian been picked as an opener without having done so for their state.
“I think I am playing pretty well at the moment,” McSweeney said on Sunday.
“I am really confident in my game and I am progressing and playing some of the best innings I have played.
“Hopefully I can continue to learn and get better. If the opportunity comes, I feel like I am ready. If it doesn’t, hopefully I can get the call one day.”
Meanwhile, India have rushed KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel to Australia to play in the final match against Australia A.
Rahul was dropped during India’s 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home, but could open in the first Test in Perth if under-fire captain Rohit Sharma misses for personal reasons.
AUSTRALIA A: Marcus Harris, Nathan McSweeney (capt), Cameron Bancroft, Sam Konstas, Ollie Davies, Beau Webster, Jimmy Peirson, Michael Neser, Nathan McAndrew, Scott Boland, Corey Rocchiccioli
