Australian debutant prepares for possible Bumrah barrage

McSweeney is fifth on the list of leading run-scorers in Australia’s ongoing domestic Sheffield Shield competition and earned his Test call-up thanks to some solid contributions for Australia A in recent matches against India A in Mackay and Melbourne.

It’s been a long time coming for McSweeney, who scored plenty of runs for Australia at the 2018 ICC Men’s Under 19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand and has been knocking on the door in recent years as he waited for an opportunity at the top level.

That opportunity looks set to present itself against India in Perth and McSweeney believes he is ready to seize the opportunity with both hands.

“In the last month, I really feel like I’m hitting the best I’ve ever played,” McSweeney said.

“I think I’m the best I’ve ever been prepared to take this opportunity, so hopefully I can do that.

“There are undoubtedly plenty of learnings and experiences that I have not yet experienced and I am looking forward to learning all about the challenges of Test cricket and challenging my game against the very best.

“There’s still a lot to learn and I hope there’s a lot of room for improvement, but I definitely feel like this is the best I’ve ever played and I’m up for the challenge.”

WATCH: McSweeney scores a century at the Under-19 World Cup