Former cricket great Ricky Ponting has once again demonstrated his knack for accurate commentary predictions as Australia approaches a decision on its opening batsman for the next Test.
Nathan McSweeney has emerged as the frontrunner in the heated competition.
Despite his recent performance, questions loom over McSweeney's lack of experience at the Test match level.
The other contenders for the opener position include Sam Konstas, Marcus Harris, and Cameron Bancroft, all of whom have had mixed performances.
While Konstas scored 0 and 16, Harris managed 17 and 36, and Bancroft recorded 0 and 16, McSweeney's performances were honourable.
The 25-year-old from Queensland impressed the Australian coaching staff, delivering standout innings for the Australian A side in their recent victory.
He scored a patient 39 off 131 balls in the first innings, followed by an impressive 88 not out off 178 balls, solidifying his position at the top of the selection queue.
Ponting expressed his support for McSweeney, acknowledging his strong showing despite previously backing Konstas.
“I was put on the spot about a week ago, and I sort of immediately went to the young guy Sam Konstas,” Ponting said on the ICC Review show.
“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's probably not even played on grounds like Optus 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.”
Konstas currently sits third on the Sheffield Shield run-scorers list with 302 runs at an average of 75.5, with a significant portion of those runs coming from his opening match of the season, where he scored 152 and 105.
In contrast, McSweeney boasts scores of 55 and 127 not out against New South Wales, alongside 37 and 72 against Queensland. He also impressed with a 137 in a one-day match against Queensland.
“I don't think they'd go back to a Bancroft or Harris because if they were willing to do that, they would've done it last year,” Ponting stated.
“So, the only name left for me more or less is Nathan McSweeney, who is Queensland-born and now playing for South Australia. He got the most out of any of those guys from the ‘A' game in Australia at the moment.
"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.”
While Ponting has shifted his focus to McSweeney, he emphasised that Konstas could still have a future with the national team.
“He's not the only person who has issues with the ball coming back in, and the more exposure he gets to that type of bowling, the better off he is going to be,” Ponting explained.
“Maybe Konstas needs 12 months of Shield cricket to face better bowling and play in different conditions to put a stamp on what his technique looks like for international cricket.
"He is a highly talented player, and I'm sure he'll get his chance to play for Australia.”
McSweeney made his debut for Queensland in 2018 but decided to move to South Australia in 2021 to further his career.
After his recent performances, he expressed confidence in his form.
“I think I'm playing pretty well at the moment,” McSweeney told reporters in the post-match press conference on Sunday.
“I'm really confident in my game. I'm progressing and I'm batting some of the best innings I've played. Hopefully, I can continue to learn and get better.
"If the opportunity comes, I feel like I'm ready. If it doesn't, I'll keep working hard and hope that one day I get that call-up.”
Cricket broadcaster Gav Joshi also supports McSweeney's bid for the opener role, stating, “McSweeney is ready for Test cricket. He should open in the A tour match at the MCG.
"Having commentated on the A tour match, he knows his game inside out. His temperament and technique are outstanding. He is more than capable of opening the batting.”
As speculation mounts, the decision now rests with captain Pat Cummins and the selectors, who are keeping the public guessing.
Cummins commented on the selection process, emphasising that it's not merely about recent performances.
“It's never as clean cut as a ‘bat-off'. Some of these guys have only played a few games of Shield cricket, and then you've got other guys who have played for over a decade,” Cummins said.
“That last couple of weeks is really important. It's got some importance, but it's not going to guide 100 percent of the decision.
"So I suppose, again, whoever does get picked, they've experienced as much pressure as they might get in a Test debut anyway. So it means they are pretty well placed.”
The first Test will see Australia face India from November 22nd to 26th at Perth Stadium