“I have pencilled him in for the highest run score” – David Warner on new Australian opener for 2024-25 BGT

David Warner has predicted that his replacement and new Australian Test opener Nathan McSweeney will be the highest run-getter in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Warner believes McSweeney has the technique and patience to pair up with Usman Khawaja and deliver big in the five-match Test series against India.

The cricketer-turned-commentator also stressed that Australia should give the 25-year-old enough opportunities since Khawaja might retire after 12-18 months. McSweeney recently led Australia A to a 2-0 series win against India A. The right-handed batter returned with scores of 39, 88*, 14, and 25 in his four outings.

Warner said at Fox Cricket’s Kayo Sports launch on Tuesday, November 19 (via The Times of India):

“It’s a great time for him to come in; it’s a big series. I think he’s got the technique (and) the patience to partner up with Uzzie to allow himself to score big. I’ve pencilled him (McSweeney) in for the highest run score this (summer), so I’m looking forward to that.

"I’m also looking forward to seeing how he adapts batting with someone like Usman Khawaja as well because it’s a partnership that you have to build."

He added:

“We’ve just got to be patient with all the guys that are coming through now. Uzzie is touching on 38 now as well, he’s probably got another 12 to 18 months to go.

"He’s (McSweeney) 25 years of age; you’ve got to give guys a crack... it’d be exciting just to see him score some runs first (and) establish himself. But if he doesn’t, just give him some time, give him maybe two summers."

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“I’m hoping that he has a big series for Australia” – David Warner backs Marnus Labuschagne to deliver in 2024-25 BGT

David Warner further backed Marnus Labuschagne to deliver in the Test series against India. Notably, Labuschagne has averaged just 29.68 since 2023. Warner said in the same interaction:

“Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne... probably in their right minds, are overdue for some runs. I think Marnus is really up for the series; I’m hoping that he has a big series for Australia.”

Labuschagne has amassed 785 runs in 10 Tests against India. Meanwhile, Steve Smith has over 2,000 runs against India in the format. The latter will return to the No.4 spot after a brief time as an opener in Tests.

The first of the five-game series will kick start in Perth on Friday, November 22.