Australia star's first reaction after being ruled out of India's remaining Tests

Australia's chairman of selectors George Bailey on Friday revealed that he had given “a lot of deliberation” before taking the decision to drop opening batsman Nathan McSweeney for the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, saying the decision was based on Was based on how the series unfolded. Teenage sensation Sam Konstas received his first call-up after disappointing performances from the Australian top order, particularly McSweeney, in the first three Test matches.

The 25-year-old McSweeney, who made his Test debut in the series opener in Perth, scored 10, 0, 39, 10 not out, 9 and 4 in his six innings and was dismissed by Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah after scoring four runs. Times.

“(This was a really difficult decision for Nathan and we spent a lot of time deliberating on it. Especially after a small sample size of three tests… It's never a great phone call, Isn't it?” Bailey was quoted as saying in ESPNCricinfo.

Bailey admitted that McSweeney was disappointed after receiving the news, but said the top-order batsman had the potential to bounce back and make a Test appearance in the future.

“Nathan was disappointed and really the message to him was the same as it was at the start of the series, that we believe he has the ability and temperament to be successful at Test level.

“But given the way the series has played, we want to try something different in India for this next Test (in Melbourne),” Bailey said.

After the third Test draw at Gabba, both the teams are tied at 1-1 and the five-Test series is very close.

“It has obviously been a challenge for the batsmen at the top of the order throughout the series and we want to provide the option of a different line up for the next two matches,” he said.

Former fast bowler and former selector Merv Hughes had cautioned the selectors against making any changes to the batting lineup for the Boxing Day Test.

Hughes said, “It would almost be a panic for me now… just stay calm. They (India) drew the last Test. The last two Tests we've drawn and won one, so there's nothing to be nervous about.” Told 'The Courier Mail'.