Australia settle on new opener as Nathan McSweeney named in Test squad to face India

• South Australian to debut at top of batting order in first match in Perth
• In-form Josh Inglis also picked as batter in 13-player squad

Australia have settled on Nathan McSweeney to be Usman Khawaja’s opening partner for the start of the blockbuster Test series against India. After an outstanding start to the domestic season, McSweeney has beaten Marcus Harris for the vacant spot in the Australian XI.

Harris, who last played a Test in January 2022, has even missed out on being part of the extended squad after selectors chose Australia’s white-ball wicketkeeper Josh Inglis to be the spare batter. Left-hander Harris top-scored for Australia A in the recently-completed tour match at the MCG, but he also fell for a golden duck in the second innings.