Delhi: It was not easy for Nathan McSweeney to step into Test cricket. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Australian team gave him a chance as an opener in place of David Warner. But, the biggest challenge for him was Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah.
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Test debut and face off against Jasprit Bumrah
In two test matches against India, McSweeney scored 10, 0, 39 and 10 not out. All three times he was out on Bumrah’s balls. Especially in the Perth Test, he could not last long against Bumrah. The Indian fast bowlers troubled the entire Australian team in the first innings, and this debut match became even more difficult for McSweeney.
However, he performed slightly better in the day-night test. While playing in Adelaide, Rishabh Pant dropped a catch on Bumrah’s ball, which gave him some relief. McSweeney himself admitted that facing Bumrah was one of the toughest challenges of his career.
‘It is difficult to face Jaspreet’
McSweeney said, “It is really difficult to face a bowler like Jasprit, especially when you are starting your career. But, the better performance in Adelaide gave me confidence. The more I face them, the more comfortable I become.”
The young batsman also told why Bumrah is different from other bowlers. He said, “His action and bowling style is quite different. He is a world class bowler, and his control over his angles and crease is special. “Meeting him for the first time was a different experience.”
‘I will give good punches to Bumrah in Gaba Test’
In the first innings of the day-night Test, McSweeney made a partnership of 67 runs with Marnus Labuschagne. Now before the Gabba Test, he is working hard to improve his performance against Bumrah. He said, “I played two of his best balls in Perth. He got me out again in Adelaide, but it was really fun planning runs against a great bowler. I will hit him some good punches (shots) in the Gaba test. Hopefully I will perform better there.”
The third match of the series will be played at the historic ground, Gaba from 14th December.