'It is never as clean cut as a bat off' - Pat Cummins rules out possibility of having new Australia opener

After David Warner retired from Test cricket in January 2024, Australia did not have a proper opening pair for Usman Khawaja. The team tried Steve Smith in some games but the results were underwhelming. Recently, Nathan McSweeney’s name was doing rounds to take up the position in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. 

McSweeney, who is leading Australia A against India A, also showed hope to feature as Australia's opener and backed himself to come good against India A to solidify his case. As it stands out, Australia skipper, Pat Cummins has ruled out the possibility of the team seeking an opener based on the performances of Australia A team.

"I think it is like a final bit of information. It is never as clean cut as a bat off. Some of these guys have only played a few games of Shield cricket, and then you have got other guys who have played over a decade. That last couple of weeks, is it really important? It is got some importance, but it is not going to guide the 100 per cent of the decision. So it is that final bit of decision,” Cummins was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"In some regards, it is a lot of pressure on those last two games, which, whether you like it or not, it is probably what you are going to get in Test cricket anyway. So I suppose, again, whoever does get picked, they have experienced as much pressure as they might get in a Test debut anyway. So it means they are pretty well placed," he added.

Also Read: India A's Ishan Kishan escapes dissent charge despite anger on overnight ball change 

Australia to host Pakistan ahead of BGT 2024-25 Test series

Before the impending Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Australia will host Pakistan for three ODIs and as many T20Is. Subsequently, they will host India for a five-match series, part of BGT. This will be the first time both teams will be playing a five-match series refraining from the previously held four-match series.