Australia's Nathan McSweeney has expressed determination to better his performance against India’s Jasprit Bumrah as the third Test commences at the Gabba on Saturday. The 25-year-old opener, who has been dismissed by Bumrah three times in four innings and scored just nine runs against him, sees the challenge as a valuable learning opportunity early in his career.
Speaking to Cricket Australia, McSweeney described Bumrah as a "unique bowler" and noted the difficulty of adapting to his angles and delivery points. He acknowledged the quality of Bumrah’s deliveries that dismissed him in Perth and Adelaide but remains optimistic about improving his approach. McSweeney hopes to “throw a few more punches” in the upcoming encounter.
Bumrah has been a standout performer in the series, claiming 12 wickets in two matches, including a devastating 5-30 spell in India’s dominant victory in Perth. However, Australia’s Mitchell Starc, with 11 wickets, has also been a key figure, helping level the series with a strong showing in Adelaide.
Australia’s batting order has struggled to fill the void left by David Warner's retirement, with McSweeney and Usman Khawaja managing only the highest opening stand of 24 runs. Despite this, Marnus Labuschagne’s gritty 64 and Travis Head’s aggressive 140 in Adelaide have boosted confidence within the team.
The third Test begins at 00:20 GMT, with ball-by-ball commentary available on BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website. McSweeney remains focused on refining his strategy against Bumrah as he aims to rise to the challenge of facing one of the world’s best bowlers.