McSweeney happy if he can be half the player Warner was

Brisbane: Nathan McSweeney, a No.3 batter converted into an opener, looked completely out of his depth in the first Test against Jasprit Bumrah. He managed 10 in the first innings and didn't open his account in the second before falling to India's spearhead in both hits. In Adelaide, he came up with a better display en route to 39 and 10 n.o. in Australia's 10-wicket win.

"It's nice to spend some time in the middle, you never really know until you spend some time in the middle," McSweeney told reporters here on Wednesday as the hosts held indoor practice due to rain. 

McSweeney is filling in David Warner's shoes after a failed attempt by Steve Smith who briefly dabbled with the opener's role. The Brisbane-born right-hander is aware of the challenge he is up against but isn't setting the bar too high for himself. 

"David was an unbelievable player with massive shoes to fill when he left," he emphasised. "If I can be half the player he was, I'm going alright. I'll continue to learn and grow in this arena. A Gabba ground I know really well, so hopefully I can spend some time out there and continue to put Australia in a good position. No doubt I have plenty to learn and hopefully, I can continue to develop. It's just all part of it," he offered.

Having spent long years playing at the Gabba, which will host the third Test from December 14, McSweeney knows what to expect from the surface.  

"It has a great bounce, and you can trust that bounce here," he noted. "It's about not fighting that bounce and scoring square of the wicket. And being able to spend a long time out there. It's a ground where if you spend a long time out there, the game can open up and you can score quite quickly. It's definitely a new-ball wicket and if you can get past that it's a lovely ground to bat at."

The 25-year-old shared a 67-run stand with Marnus Labuschagne, his former Queensland team-mate, on the first night of the pink-ball Test, putting Australia on the ascendency.

"It's great to see him playing well and standing up when we needed him to," McSweeney said. "He made an unbelievable 64 in the context of the game. For us to come out and set up the game to get through a tricky period was massive for us, and hopefully, I can spend some more time out there with him. I really enjoyed it.

"He's always trying to find answers on how to get better. He will be filthy (if) he didn't make a hundred, even though he played really well. The hunger and drive is always there for him regardless of how many he makes. He was under the pump, no doubt. For him to come out and play the way he did was massive for him and the team. Travis wouldn't have been able to play the way he did. He will be leaving no stone unturned this week and I am sure he will be able to bring his best game."