Khawaja Backs McSweeney to Play His Own Game in Test Debut

Veteran Australian opener Usman Khawaja has extended his support to his new opening partner, Nathan McSweeney, ahead of their Test debut against India in Perth. Khawaja emphasized the importance of McSweeney playing to his strengths rather than attempting to emulate David Warner, who he described as a "special player."

Khawaja, who has amassed nearly 5,500 runs in 73 Tests, believes that the notion of needing to score runs at a rapid pace is a misconception. He advised McSweeney to focus on "repeating the process" that has brought him success in the past.

"I don't know where this myth started that you needed someone to score really fast. As an opener, you're trying to score runs, and you've got five days to do it," Khawaja said. "Opening is as much about scoring runs as it is about absorbing that time."

Khawaja acknowledged Warner's exceptional ability to switch gears effortlessly in the Test format. However, he cautioned McSweeney against trying to replicate Warner's style.

"Davey (Warner) was special. He could score runs while absorbing. He could sometimes score 100 off 100 balls, but he didn't do it every time. Sometimes it took him 170, 180 balls to get that 100," Khawaja said. "He was consistent, he was out there, he was setting a platform for guys later to come in and score runs."

Khawaja expressed confidence in McSweeney's ability to both score runs and bat time. "I think Nathan does that really well. He can score runs, but he can also bat time. They're really important facets to have in Test cricket if you want to set games up."

Khawaja warned McSweeney that there were "no guarantees in cricket" but said that the 25-year-old batter didn't "have to do anything different" in the Test arena. "You just try to repeat the process... The only thing that really changes is that you have a few more people watching."

Khawaja believes that McSweeney has the temperament and skills to handle the demands of Test cricket. "You always go through ups and downs in cricket, but when you look at Nathan, you look at his demeanor, you look at the way he plays, you feel that over a longer period of time that, yes, this guy will be able to handle the scrutiny of Test cricket and the pressure of Test cricket."

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