Ian Healy endorses Test hopeful Nathan McSweeney as a future Australian captain

Former Aussie wicketkeeper Ian Healy was impressed by Nathan McSweeney’s first innings knock for Australia A against India A in Mackay.

While the side’s skipper managed a solid 39, it was the top score from either side in the first dig. Given the innings came from 131 balls on what’s been described as a tricky deck, Healy thinks it’s an effort full of merit.

Healy also thinks that it proved that the 25-year-old is the most ready to step into the Australian Test side ahead of Marcus Harris (17), Sam Konstas (0) and Cameron Bancroft (0) who all failed to fire in Australia A’s first innings score of 195.

“I was glad people could see how Nathan McSweeney can bat yesterday, he put his shots away for the good of the situation,” Healy told SEN Afternoons.

“I knew about him because he’s come from my club and the Australian selectors know about it because he’s played like that for South Australia and very well recently.

“He showed that at 25 years of age, he’s the most ready of the four. The tried and tested Bancroft and Harris are a bit older and Konstas is a bit younger. He’s the most suited from that performance overall.

“We learned how he can deal with the media the day before and how he can deal with pressure.”

As well as endorsing McSweeney for the vacant Test opening role, Healy also added that he feels the Queenslander turned South Australian is a future Aussie captain.

Healy has been impressed by the right-hander’s leadership for both South Australia and Australia A and he thinks that there’s every chance he leads the national team at the Test level one day.

“Yes I do (think he’s a future Australian captain),” Healy said. 

“His answers in the public up in Mackay in the media were impressive, he’s had to answer touchy questions about himself and the batting duel and he has been excellent.

“He’s honest, well-considered and happy to get better. If he doesn’t get selected then so be it, he’ll continue to try and get better.

“I agree with them that they’ve made him the captain of a couple of these teams now, selectors think he is and I agree with it.

“So I think that man needs to be in the team soon.”

McSweeney will get another chance to push his case for Test selection in a potential second innings in Mackay and the second ‘A’ series match at the MCG which begins next Thursday.