“It's what I’ve dreamed of”: McSweeney prepared to bat anywhere if Test call-up comes

South Australia captain Nathan McSweeney is a genuine contender to play in the first Test between Australia and India in Perth.

With a spot at the top of the order available, the 25-year-old has put his best foot forward, making 291 runs from two games at an average of 97.

While he’s considered by some as the best batsman not currently in the Aussie Test side, the one real knock on his Test aspirations this summer is that he bats at number three for his state instead of opening.

Even though a move to the top could put his name up in lights more as a better Test option, McSweeney says he hasn’t thought about shuffling the order as he simply wants to help the state win games over doing what’s best for his international hopes.

“No, I haven't (thought about moving up the order),” McSweeney said on Sportsday SA.

“My role at three is where I think is the best position for me to bat in this team.

“All I'm trying to do is make sure I can put South Australia in a good position to win games of cricket with the bat.

“My preparation batting at three is not too dissimilar to the opening batters, I train with the new ball, and I can be out there the second ball of the game, so it's not too dissimilar.

“But I'm very comfortable batting at three for South Australia, I feel like that's my best spot.”

Even though he won’t be making any changes at the Shield level, McSweeney confirmed that he’s more than happy to bat anywhere in the order if it means he earns a Test debut.

“I would love to play for Australia, no doubt,” McSweeney said.

“It's what I’ve dreamed of as a kid, and I'd bat anywhere they told me to if I got picked.

“All I can really control is make sure that I prepare really well for South Australia and keep trying to punch out runs and hopefully get us in positions to keep winning Shield games like we're able to do today.

“I'll leave that up to the experts, I’ll just keep trying to do my bit.”

McSweeney will get his chance to impress selectors when he captains Australia A in a two-match series against India A in Mackay and Melbourne. The first match begins on October 31 at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.