Ahead of the long-awaited Test debut leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson has admitted on Friday that being on the sidelines has been frustrating for him over the time especially during the tough bio-bubble with COVID-19 environment.
With the surface in Karachi expected to aid spin, Australia skipper Pat Cummins confirmed that Swepson will play his first Test match on Saturday during the second Test against Pakistan, with fast bowler Josh Hazlewood the man to miss out.
“I’m not gonna lie. It has been tough. COVID has probably been the hardest part of it in that I’ve been away and touring a lot in bubbles and hubs and not being able to actually play games of cricket. So that’s been frustrating. I mean, in the past, usually you’d be able to be a part of an Australian squad but fly back and play for your state or your Big Bash team or whatever and that hasn’t really been able to happen for me over the last few seasons,” Swepson was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
“So I’m probably a bit shy on on the game time, which has been frustrating, definitely. But for me, I’d never sacrifice being in this position and being in a position to take an opportunity and play for my country, that’s obviously the ultimate goal.
Swepson’s debut means he’ll be the first specialist leg-spinner to feature in Australia’s Test XI since 2009. Bryce McGain was the last leggie to play in Tests for the Aussies in March 2009 against South Africa.
