Australia Test squad for India Border-Gavaskar Trophy announced!! Openers finalised

Cricket Australia (CA) has announced a 13-member squad for the upcoming first Test match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) against India. Nathan McSweeney and Josh Inglis received maiden Test call-ups for the opening match, which is scheduled to be played in Perth from November 22.

The Pat Cummins-led team will be hoping to secure their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory in the last decade. Notably, they lost two home Test series against India. The upcoming series is also important for the Men in Yellow to secure their berth in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025.

Nathan McSweeney Set To Make His Debut In Perth Test

Nathan McSweeney is expected to debut in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener in Perth. Sam Konstas and Marcus Harris made half-centuries in the second unofficial Test against India A at the MCG. However, they were not selected but may still be considered for future matches in the upcoming series.

McSweeney led Australia A to a 2-0 series win over India A in two unofficial Test matches. He scored 39 and an unbeaten 88 in the first match at Mackay. The right-handed batter opened the second four-day match and scored 14 and 25. He has a decent average of 38.16 across 34 first-class games.

Skipper Pat Cummins will lead Australia’s pace attack during the highly anticipated series. Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland are the other pace bowlers in the squad. Nathan Lyon is the only spin option, and Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head can bowl a few overs if needed.

Alex Carey is the first-choice wicketkeeper for the home team. Carey has been in excellent form with the bat. The southpaw is leading the run-getter in the Sheffield Shield with two tons and fifty from six innings. Josh Inglis has been included as a backup wicketkeeper and also as a reserve batter.

Australia Squad for First Test Match Against India

Pat Cummins (c), Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

Josh Inglis Deserves His Place In His First Test Squad - George Bailey

Chief selector George Bailey said that Nathan McSweeney is ready for Test cricket. Bailey also acknowledged Josh Inglis’s excellent form in the Sheffield Shield, adding that his consistent performances earned him a spot in the squad for his first Test series.

"Nathan has displayed the attributes we believe will equip him well for Test cricket along with a strong recent record in domestic cricket. His performances for South Australia and Australia A weighed in his favor and supports our view he is ready for the opportunity at Test level. Similarly, Josh has been in great touch in the Sheffield Shield competition and deserves his place in his first Test squad," Bailey said, as quoted by cricket.com.au.

Also read: Abhimanyu Easwaran finalized as Yashasvi Jaiswal's opening partner ahead of KL Rahul for the Perth Test