Ponting Backs McSweeney for Opening Role in Australia’s Test Series Against India

Australia’s legendary batsman and ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has weighed in on who he believes should partner Usman Khawaja at the top of the order in the upcoming Test series against India, a crucial matchup in the ICC World Test Championship.

With David Warner’s retirement earlier this year and Steve Smith’s return to his preferred No. 4 position, the opening slot has been up for grabs, leading to considerable speculation.

Initially, Ponting floated the idea of giving teenage sensation Sam Konstas, a rising star in the Under-19 circuit, a chance to make his Test debut.

However, the former captain recently revised his stance, opting instead for a more experienced option: Nathan McSweeney. Speaking on The ICC Review with host Sanjana Ganesan, Ponting explained that after more consideration, McSweeney’s maturity and recent form gave him the edge.

“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,” Ponting explained. “But then I thought a bit more about it. He’s so young and probably hasn’t played on challenging grounds like Optus Stadium or The Gabba. He’s got talent, but there are hurdles he hasn’t yet faced.”

McSweeney’s recent performance in an unofficial ‘Test’ match against India A in Mackay proved crucial in Ponting’s decision. On a tough Queensland pitch, McSweeney stabilized the innings with a resilient 39 at No. 4, while Test hopefuls Konstas, Marcus Harris, and Cameron Bancroft fell for low scores. This innings, along with McSweeney’s track record, made an impression on Ponting.

“McSweeney got the most out of that ‘A’ game,” Ponting observed. “He’s more experienced, has captained Australia A, and he’s leading them now. So, I’m leaning towards McSweeney for that opening role as the Australian summer begins.”

Ponting noted that while Konstas has undeniable promise, he would benefit from additional experience in domestic competition, particularly the Sheffield Shield. Australia’s full-time opener, Usman Khawaja, is nearing the latter part of his career, which could open the door for Konstas in a season or so.

“When Khawaja retires, Konstas could have another season or half a season of Shield cricket under his belt. By then, he might be ready for the top order,” Ponting said. He also highlighted the importance of Konstas addressing his technical issues with handling deliveries that swing back in, a common struggle for young players.

“Exposure to different types of bowling will help him. That’s one more reason why I believe McSweeney is the better fit for now,” Ponting added. “But Konstas is highly talented, and I’m sure he’ll get his chance to play for Australia soon enough.”

As the Test series approaches, Ponting’s support for McSweeney could provide selectors with an experienced, steady option to open the innings with Khawaja, leaving Konstas to develop further in domestic cricket before stepping onto the international stage.