Ricky Ponting names Nathan McSweeney as Australia’s potential opener for BGT 2024-25

After David Warner retired from Test cricket, Steve Smith was promoted as an opener but the move was not successful for Australia as the right-hander could score only 171 runs in four matches. As a result, the team management has decided bring Smith back to number four for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, slated to begin on November 22. With that, the opening spot is once again up for grabs.

Speaking on the same, former cricketer Ricky Ponting stated that he feels Nathan McSweeney should be considered as Usman Khawaja’s partner in the marquee series. The 49-year-old mentioned that he initially felt Sam Konstas would be the perfect replacement but with McSweeney’s recent performances, he is convinced that the 25-year-old is the ideal fit. 

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Ponting explained that the team management may not consider Marcus Harris or Cameron Bancroft for the India series. He feels that in case they were in contention, the players would have featured right after Warner’s retirement and not in the series against India. He further highlighted McSweeney’s contribution for Australia A and expects him to play the five-match Test series.

“I was put on the spot about a week ago, and I sort of immediately went to the young guy, Sam Konstas. He had come off back-to-back hundreds against South Australia. Then I thought a bit more about it and, he is so young and he has probably not even played on grounds like Optus (Perth) Stadium or at The Gabba. He wouldn't have played a pink-ball (match) at Adelaide Oval either. So there's a lot of things that stack up against the young guy, although there's no doubt that he's got talent,” Ponting told ICC.

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"Another thing that I'd said then was that I don't think they'd go back to a (Cameron) Bancroft or (Marcus) Harris because if they're willing to do that they would've done it the last year. So, the only name left for me more or less is Nathan McSweeney, who is Queensland-born now playing for South Australia. He got the most out of any of those guys from the 'A' game in Australia at the moment. And he's more experienced. He has captained Australia A in the past, and he's captaining them now. So, I'm leaning towards McSweeney now for that opening role at the start of the Australian summer," Ponting further added.

Australia are expected to announce the squad early next week. The preparation camp will begin soon after that.