South Australian coach Ryan Harris says Nathan McSweeney would again bat out of position to revive his Test career.
McSweeney played three Tests last summer against India, facing Jasprit Bumrah with a new ball instead of his favoured position at No.3.
He, like most Aussies, struggled against the Indian superstar and was eventually dropped for Sam Konstas ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
The right-hander was recalled for the tour of Sri Lanka but has not been able to crack into the side.
But McSweeney has pieced together a solid season for SA and did his chances no harm with an unbeaten double ton against the England Lions last week.
Harris says a “desperate” McSweeney would run towards a new challenge again if it meant a return to the Test arena.
“He’s been really good this year, he made a really good 100 in Perth,” Harris told SEN Breakfast.
“He’s threatened to make a lot more big scores and he probably got the one he deserved in Brisbane.
“He’s one now that’s going to be very, very close to selection. There’s obviously some potential retirements coming in the Australian team over the next bit.
“He’s had a taste of it, and he’s desperate to get back at some stage to wear that baggy green, and where that is in the batting order, I don’t think he minds. He’d just like to play for Australia again.
“My words to him is, ‘Look, if that’s in the background, do your stuff for South Australia and when you get opportunities for Australia, go and make the most of it,’ and he certainly did that in Brisbane.”
McSweeney has been earmarked as one of the players – and potential leaders – Australia will call upon when the inevitable turnover hits the experienced Test side.
To Harris, McSweeney is one of the hardest working players he’s ever seen and it’s why he sees no reason the 26-year-old will play again.
“He was definitely shattered about being left out of the team, it took a bit of a toll on the back end of last year,” he said.
“He probably didn’t get the runs afterwards with the bit of extra pressure on him, but he’s taken some time away and over this pre-season he came back well.
“He’s one of the hardest workers I know. I’ve played and worked with some pretty good players over my time and he’s got that element of his game to him.
“There’s no doubt he’ll be back in around it. He’s going to be up and around the mark when opportunities arise.”
