As McSweeney walked toward the WACA center in the middle of a warm, sunny morning, with quicks Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc eager to get started, some of his new teammates decided to make fun of him.
“Welcome to Test cricket,” they chirped.
McSweeney, 25, was subjected to a thorough examination at middle wicket as he took turns with Khawaja and Steven Smith to face Cummins and Starc with the new ball.
It was a baptism of fire and McSweeney looked quite uncomfortable as he played and failed repeatedly. But batting became more difficult on the western side of the square, which moved away from the right.
Smith lamented the conditions, while McSweeney had a torrid time, particularly against Cummins, who consistently tipped and pulled away down the slope. He struggled to put the bat on the ball, but there were some encouraging signs.
“It was a good challenge. I got through it unscathed,” McSweeney told reporters Monday. “I didn’t put a lot of pressure on them, but they played very well and had a great preparation to face those guys who are quality bowlers.”
McSweeney had a better time against offspinner Nathan Lyon, with whom he played comfortably, before taking more batting practice in the WACA nets. He finished his first session bowling for Starc and Cummins. Its useful effect is likely to be needed at some point during the test series.
“I think nothing but exceptional in my eyes,” Lyon said of McSweeney’s character. “I saw it up close and personal in that Shield game a couple of weeks ago. [South Australia vs New South Wales] and I thought we had to take him out to get him out of the game.
“I thought his timing was nice. The timing of his movements was in sync. I have nothing but praise for Nathan for the way he did it. He’s a great guy, a great kid and I wish him nothing but the best.”
McSweeney will also play a role in shoring up Australia’s slip cordon following David Warner’s retirement, while Cameron Green’s absence also leaves a sizeable hole in Gully.
On Monday, McSweeney was parked at third to practice catching with Smith to his left at second, Khawaja at first and Marnus Labuschagne in the gully. He also moved to a second gully for some catches, standing to the right of Labuschagne in an indication that he could be used as a floater and rotate between the third and additional gully depending on where he was needed.
“The early days of my Shield career were at third and a bit in Gully,” McSweeney said. “I’m not sure exactly where I’m going to play, but I feel comfortable in both. It’s great to be standing on the curb next to Steve Smith.”
But as he begins to experience the scrutiny that comes with being a Test cricketer, his selection received some backlash and former Test opener Ed Cowan was particularly vocal.
“I think everyone will have their opinion. I try not to make too much of it,” McSweeney said. “I have the guys on my side. I really trust and value their opinion and I haven’t spent much time with Ed.
“I think I know what works and I feel very capable of doing the job and I think I’m hitting the best I’ve ever hit. Hopefully I can go out and execute that on Friday.”
Adding to his set of challenges, McSweeney has never played red-ball cricket at the 60,000-capacity Optus Stadium. Isaac McDonald, the pitch curator, hopes to replicate the spicy conditions of last year’s Test between Australia and Pakistan, where numerous batsmen took body blows.
The advice from your senior teammates? “Try to make sure you spend some time in the nets and get used to the bounce,” McSweeney said. “That’s something that’s talked about a little bit.
“The other thing is owning your space in terms of what I’ve done for South Australia. Execute the same thing and the same process, the same routine.
“Ultimately it’s the game of cricket and I know my game.”
As he learns to cope with the whirlwind of being a Test cricketer, McSweeney will rely on the support of his loved ones who travel to Perth in large numbers.
“A lot of friends will be there, and mum, dad, my sister, my grandad, my partner and a lot of guys I played club cricket with in Brisbane,” McSweeney said.
“I have a great fan base and a great family that took care of me and sacrificed a lot. I’m looking forward to taking it all in and being able to share the moment with them.”
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based in Perth.
