Swepson’s nod to his inspiration

IT IS only fitting Mitchell Swepson makes his debut in the second Test at Karachi which begins on Saturday.

The wrist spinner, anointed five years earlier by Shane Warne, has been brought into the side at the expense of Josh Hazlewood.

The seamer is a victim of injury in the summer, but has been held out by a Karachi deck with a record as Pakistan’s most spinfriendly venue and one authorities have promised will make life uncomfortable for visitors unaccustomed to such.

Warne’s last Test in Pakistan was in the crowded, crazy, cricket-loving city on the Arabian Sea in 1994.

He was enormous on and off the field in that match, fending off the malfeasance of Salim Malik in the hotel and securing man of the match in a game Australia lost by a whisker.

Swepson said it was sad that the man who empowered him to practice the difficult art of legspin with total confidence would not be there to witness his debut.

Captain Pat Cummins confirmed on Friday that the 28year-old was in the side and that the whole team is delighted he has finally got his break.

“He’s pumped,” he said. “To be honest we’re all pumped for Sweppo. He’s spent a lot of time running drinks the last couple of years. He’s absolutely ready.

“The wicket looks a little bit drier and historically a bit friendlier for spinners. We think a wrist spinner of Sweppo’s quality gives us a balance and the best opportunity to take 20 wickets. Just think he’s ready. Joshy misses out. We still think reverse swing could be a factor in this game.”

Mitchell Starc’s left arm and ability to bowl searing reverse gave him the edge over Hazlewood who has been the most reliable of wing men for Cummins and Starc.

The move could see Cameron Green shoulder a little more workload, but the captain believes the 22-year-old all-rounder who can reverse the ball at 140km/h is up to the task.

Swepson emerged in 2017 and had outstanding years for Queensland in 2017-18 and 2020-21 but his first-class career has been restricted by being domiciled at the Gabba where seamers are first choice.

He has been in the side’s waiting room for years, touring the world but never getting a chance to play.