Lehmann backs Swepson’s call-up for Sydney
FORMER Australia coach Darren Lehmann says Mitchell Swepson has the talent “to go the whole way” after the Queensland leg-spinner was drafted into the Test squad.
Swepson was on Thursday added to the Australian squad for the New Year’s Test against New Zealand in Sydney.
The 26-year-old will join the Test squad in Melbourne this week to begin preparations in case he is called up for a baggy green debut at the SCG from January 3.
Swepson has long been on the radar of national selectors but is yet to make his Test debut.
He has had a solid start to the 2019-20 summer with 12 Sheffield Shield wickets at 26.58 from six matches, including a hat-trick against Victoria.
Swepson toured India and
Bangladesh with the Australian Test squad in 2017 under Lehmann but did not play.
While Australian leg spin legend Shane Warne is a big fan of Swepson, the Brisbane product has struggled for consistency and that’s what Lehmann says he must improve to earn a baggy green.
“I took him on a couple of tours with the Australian team as the second spinner,” Lehmann said.
“He has bowled really well for Queensland in the last few (Shield) games. It’s about him continuing to develop.
“He’s got the talent to go the whole way.
“His consistency (is where he needs to improve). Getting wickets all the time and being like that in the longer format.
“He will get wickets in T20 because they’ll go after him.”
Swepson has been added to the Test squad as selectors weigh up playing two spinners at the SCG.
Off-spinner Nathan Lyon is a certainty and Swepson is in the mix if the wicket looks like it may turn, although No.3 batsman Marnus Labuschagne has been preferred as second spinning option recently.
“Having Mitch in Sydney gives us the option to play two specialist spinners if the conditions demand,” said chief selector Trevor Hohns.