In May 2021, McSweeney moved to South Australia ahead of the 2021/22 domestic season, making his List A debut in September 2021 in the 2021–22 Marsh One-Day Cup.[11][12] He scored his maiden first-class century in December 2022 against Tasmania.[13]
In March 2023, McSweeney was announced as the captain of Australia A for their tour of New Zealand.[14] Playing in the first unofficial Test, he scored 50 in the first innings and 69 not out in the second.[15]
In April 2024, McSweeney was named as the captain of South Australia for the 2024–25 Australian domestic season.[18] He scored his maiden List A century in October 2024, making 137 runs in 131 balls against Queensland.[19]
International career
McSweeney captained Australia A against the touring India A side during the 2024–25 season.[20] He opened the batting for the first time in first-class cricket in the second match of the series, having been earmarked for a role as opener for the full Australian side later in the summer.[21][22] At the conclusion of the match, he was named in Australia's team to play against the touring Indian Test side.[23][24][25][26]
McSweeney made his Test debut in the first match of the series at Perth. He made 10 runs in his first innings in international cricket before recording a duck in his second. He played in the second and third matches of the series, making scores of 39, 10 not out, nine and four before being dropped ahead of the fourth Test match, making way for debutant Sam Konstas.[27] The decision caused some controversy, coming after only three matches.[28][29][30][31]
Playing style
Usually a conservative batter, McSweeney has the ability to be aggressive when batting with the lower order, most notably scoring 28 runs from an over to reach a century in a tenth-wicket partnership with Harry Conway in March 2024.[32] He is a part-time off break bowler, often being called upon to break partnerships.[20][33]
References
^"Nathan McSweeney". www.saca.com.au. 9 August 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2024.