‘He doesn’t need…’: Pat Cummins’ advice to Australian newcomer Nathan McSweeney

Opener Nathan McSweeney will go into his first Test series with a lot riding on him, but Australia captain Pat Cummins gave him some comforting advice on Thursday, saying he should focus on his natural game rather than “imitate” his predecessor – the great David Warner. McSweeney, 25, will fill the seat left vacant by Warner’s departure earlier this year and his partner Usman Khawaja will lead the line-up for the Border-Gavaskar Test series against India, which begins here on Friday.

“Davey is very difficult to replace in many ways. I think the biggest thing for someone like Nat coming in is just to play his own game. He doesn’t need to attack her, you know.” 80, like David did, if it’s not his game,” Cummins said at the pre-match press conference.

“So for them (McSweeney and Khawaja) I’d like to see them bring the best out of each other, play a bit and bat a bit together for Queensland. But yeah, I think for both of them it’s about bringing what they bring to the table.

“You know, for Ozzy it’s about getting the bowlers to come back and come back and come back. And I think Nat is very similar in that regard,” Cummins added.

McSweeney, a big fan of the legendary Ricky Ponting, has been tasked with making his Australia debut despite not being an expert in the position, but he remains undeterred ahead of the big test in the series opener against India.

McSweeney was selected in the squad for the first Test ahead of regular players including Marcus Harris.

He received a call-up to the national team after a decent performance against India A earlier this month. He is ranked third in domestic cricket.

He faced the formidable trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood in Australia on Monday and appeared to have the situation under control.

Growing up in Brisbane, McSweeney played junior cricket for Caboolture before joining Premier Cricket Club Northern Suburbs, where he made his first-class debut at the age of 16.

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