AUS vs IND: McSweeney vows to ‘work really hard’ after being dropped from Australia squad for final two Tests

Australian opener Nathan McSweeney admitted that he felt “devastated” after being dropped for the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India, after making his debut in the opening match of the series.

On Friday, McSweeney was dropped by the national selectors, who handed a maiden call-up to teenage sensation Sam Kontas.

“Yeah, I mean devastated, I get the dream come true and then didn’t quite work the way I wanted,” McSweeney told Channel 7.

“But it’s all part of it, and I’ll get my head down and get back in the nets and work really hard and hopefully be ready to go for the next opportunity,” he added.

The 25-year-old struggled at the top with scores of 10, 0, 39, 10 not out, 9, and 4 in his six innings for Australia and was dismissed by Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah four times during the series.

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“It’s the game we’re in. If you don’t take an opportunity and you’re not performing as well as you want to, your position’s never safe,” McSweeney said.

“So I missed out a few times with the bat and unfortunately wasn’t able to take my opportunity, but as I said, I’ll work really hard to make sure that if the opportunity comes around again, I’m definitely ready,” he added.

Australia’s chairman of selectors George Bailey acknowledged the decision was “hard” and said it had been “deliberated a lot.”

Australia great Mike Hussey sympathised with McSweeney, calling the decision “tough.”

“I really feel for McSweeney. I think it’s tough on him. Tough call,” Hussey said on Fox Cricket.

“I don’t know (if it was the right call). It’s a tough one on him. It’s not easy. The ball’s been moving around quite a lot for the openers. A lot of batters at the top of the order have been battling away,” he added.