Nathan McSweeney has been recalled to the Australian squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka after being dropped midway through the series against India earlier this year.

The 25-year-old batter is eager to prove his mettle and put his learnings into practice as he looks to establish himself in the international arena.

McSweeney's journey has been anything but smooth. After earning his maiden call-up for the Border-Gavaskar series, he made his debut in the opening Test. However, he struggled to make an impact, scoring just 72 runs across three matches. His underwhelming performance led to his exclusion from the squad for the final two Tests in favour of Sam Konstas.

Reflecting on his return, McSweeney expressed optimism and determination while speaking to the ICC. "It was a nicer call than the last one," he said. "I've taken heaps of learnings from my first three Tests. If given the opportunity in Sri Lanka, I hope to apply those lessons and perform well."

https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=Dailyhuntapp&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-4&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1877769878285029767&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fm.dailyhunt.in%2Fnews%2Findia%2Fenglish%2Ffor%2Byou%3Flaunch%3Dtrue%26mode%3Dpwa&sessionId=bf2019e109620da793e9d29b5461e4cc2071ac90&siteScreenName=Dailyhuntapp&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px

McSweeney looks to make ammends

The upcoming series presents a different challenge for McSweeney, as he transitions from facing India's pace attack to tackling the spin-friendly conditions of Sri Lanka. The young batter has been preparing for this challenge, aided by his previous stint at the MRF Academy in India.

"Playing spin in Sri Lanka is very different from Australia," McSweeney acknowledged. "I've developed a method that works for me in Shield cricket back home, but I'll need to adapt to be successful there."

The Sri Lanka tour also offers opportunities for other young talents like Sam Konstas and Cooper Connolly. For both, it will be their first experience playing in the subcontinent. Konstas, who made an impressive debut with a quickfire 60 against India, is expected to learn and grow in these unfamiliar conditions.

Australia's chief selector George Bailey expressed confidence in the younger players, highlighting Konstas's ability to absorb information and adapt quickly. "He's a quick learner," Bailey said. "We expect him to gain valuable experience in these different conditions."

Off-spinner Todd Murphy, who impressed during Australia's 2023 India tour, also returns to the squad, bringing crucial subcontinental experience.

As McSweeney and his teammates prepare for the Sri Lanka challenge, the series promises to test their adaptability and skill, offering a vital stepping stone in their international careers.