‘He doesn’t need to…’: Pat Cummins advises Australian rookie Nathan McSweeney

Rookie opener Nathan McSweeney will be heading into his first Test series with a lot on his shoulders, but Australian captain Pat Cummins on Thursday offered him some reassuring advice, saying he should “imitate” his predecessor. He said that the players should focus on their original play instead of “.” The great David Warner. McSweeney, 25, will fill the spot vacated by the retirement of Warner and partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order earlier this year in the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Test series against India starting here on Friday. Become.

“Davie is irreplaceable in a lot of ways. I think the most important thing for a player like Nas coming in is just to play his game. He doesn’t have to hit it. 80, like David, even if that’s not his game,” Cummins said in the pregame press conference.

“So for them (McSweeney and Khawaja), I want to see them bring out the best in each other. They played a little bit for Queensland and batted together a little bit. But yeah, I think we both, it’s about that’ bring to the table what they brought.

“You know, for Uzi, it’s about getting the bowlers to come back again and again. And I think Nas is pretty similar in that respect,” Cummins added.

McSweeney, a big fan of the legendary Ricky Ponting, was handed the opener on his Australian debut despite not being a specialist in the position, but he was given the role of opening the series opener against India on his Australian debut. He remains unfazed in the face of a major challenge.

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

He was called up to the national team after performing well against India A earlier this month. He bats at number three in domestic cricket.

He appeared to be in control on Monday in the nets here in Australia against the formidable trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.

McSweeney, who grew up in Brisbane, played junior cricket for Caboolture before graduating to premier cricket club Northern Suburbs, making his debut in first grade at the age of 16.

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