Swepson hoping Australia “stick with” Lyon combination for first India Test

Leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson has his eyes on being named in Australia’s XI to face India in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Series next month.

With Nathan Lyon a lock in Pat Cummins’ side, Swepson will have to fight for a second spin role - if Australia opts for two slow bowlers - against other squad members Ashton Agar and Todd Murphy.

Currently plying his trade for the Brisbane Heat in the BBL, Swepson says he’s been carrying SG red balls - which are used in Indian Tests - around with him to practice with when he isn’t training for T20 duties.

While he doesn’t know whether he’ll earn selection, Swepson says he’s preparing to play as if he will get the nod.

“Yeah absolutely,” Swepson said in regards to whether he’s preparing to play on SEN Afternoons.

“I think I’d be doing the team, Patty (Cummins) and the coach Ron (Andrew McDonald) a disservice if I wasn’t ready and wanting to play as the second spinner and preparing to play the role.

“I’ll certainly be preparing to play that Test, selection is a part of the game I can’t control, but what I can control is being ready to go if I get that call so that’s how I’m going about it.”

Given that Swepson is the only leggie in the spin quartet, the Queenslander was asked whether he felt wrist spin was the right route for Australia to go down in India.

“It definitely will, spin will play a massive part in the whole series I think,” Swepson replied.

“I have a little bit of a biased opinion, but being a leg-spinner it works really well I thought In Pakistan and in Sri Lanka for us having an off-spinner and a leg-spinner.

“I think we complement each other very well spinning the ball different ways.

“But also one is a finger spinner, Gaz (Nathan Lyon) has that sort of accuracy, he doesn’t miss his spot and he camps on the one spot all day.

“That allows me to throw in a bit of variation with the leg-spin so I think we complement each other well.

“It’s something they’ve tried obviously in the last few away Tests and hopefully they decide to stick with it.”

While Swepson believes leg spin is the way to go, he understands if selectors opt to pick Agar, a left-arm orthodox spinner, or Murphy, another off-spinner, given their obvious qualities.

“There are some other great spinners in the squad,” Swepson said.

“Ash Agar is left-arm orthodox spin, he’s obviously a very good bowler and you have the young Todd Murphy as well.

“I’ll be going there with a really good pack of four spinners, so it’ll be tough to get that spot.”

Australia’s first Test against India begins in Nagpur on February 9 (AEDT).