SYDNEY (AP) — Nathan McSweeney is set to open the batting on debut for Australia against India in the first test of the Border-Gavaskar series in Perth this month after being named in a 13-man squad on Sunday.
The selectors played a wild card by also calling up England-born wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis who will captain Australia in the third one-day international against Pakistan on Sunday.
Chairman of selectors George Bailey previously ruled out Inglis as a candidate to open the batting but said his form was such he would be considered to play as a specialist batter in another.
That likely means McSweeney will open the batting with Usman Khawaja in the first test at Perth Stadium which starts on Nov. 22. He has been preferred in the opening role to Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas and Cam Bancroft.
“Nathan has displayed the attributes we believe will equip him well for test cricket along with a strong recent record in domestic cricket," Bailey said. “His performances for South Australia and Australia A weighed in his favor and supports our view he is ready for the opportunity at test level.
“Similarly, Josh has been in great touch in the Sheffield Shield and deserves his place in his first test squad.”
Inglis' call-up is still a surprise as Australia has seldom named an extra batter or additional specialist wicketkeeper in a test squad, preferring to carry an extra bowler.
McSweeney who captains South Australia, sealed his place with strong performances for Australia A against India A over the past two weeks. His innings of 39 and 88 not out in the first match of the A series saw him promoted to open in the second match, the first time he has opened the batting in his first-class career.
Inglis' promotion reflects his excellent form for West Australia in the Sheffield Shield this season. He has two centuries from two matches at Perth.
Incumbent wicketkeeper Alex Carey also has two centuries in the Sheffield Shield and is the leading run-scorer in the competition with 452. He made 98 in Australia's most recent test against New Zealand in Christchurch.
Scott Boland has been favored as the extra fast bowler behind captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood.
An injured hamstring for swing bowler Michael Neser during the India A game scuttled his hopes, despite an impressive spell that yielded four top-order wickets.
Australia: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket
Nathan McSweeney walks up the players race before batting in the cricket tour match between against India A at the MCG in Melbourne, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (James Ross/AAP Image via AP)
HOUSTON (AP) — Houston's Azeez Al-Shaair was suspended by the NFL without pay for three games Tuesday for repeated violations of player safety rules following his violent hit to the head of Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence, which led to a concussion.
Al-Shaair's punishment was announced by NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan. In his letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan noted that he has had multiple offenses for personal fouls and sportsmanship-related rules violations in recent seasons.
Back in the starting lineup after missing two games with a sprained left shoulder, Lawrence scrambled left on a second-and-7 play in the second quarter of Houston’s 23-20 win on Sunday. He initiated a slide before Al-Shaair raised his forearm and unleashed on the defenseless quarterback.
In his letter to Al-Shaair, Runyan called the hit “unacceptable and a serious violation of the playing rules.”
“Video shows you striking the head/neck area of Jaguars’ quarterback Trevor Lawrence after he clearly goes down in a feet-first slide," Runyan wrote. “You led with your forearm and helmet and delivered a forceful blow to the head/neck area of your opponent when you had time and space to avoid such contact.”
Al-Shaair is appealing the suspension, according to a person with knowledge of the decision.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the appeal is pending.
If the suspension is upheld, Al-Shaair won't be eligible to return to Houston’s active roster until after the team’s Christmas Day game against the Baltimore Ravens. Al-Shaair has a base salary of $1.5 million this season, meaning it will cost him about $265,000 if the three-game suspension is upheld.
Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit — movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. He was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair in what escalated into a brawl.
As Al-Shaair was leaving the field after being ejected, fans started screaming at him. Jaguars veteran guard Brandon Scherff joined in, prompting another altercation with Al-Shaair. Texans teammate Will Anderson grabbed Al-Shaair and was escorting him off the field when a fan threw a water bottle and hit Anderson in the helmet. The fan was later ejected.
Runyan also outlined Al-Shaair's behavior after the hit in announcing the suspension.
“After the illegal hit, you proceeded to engage in a brawl, which you escalated when you pulled an opponent down to the ground by his facemask,” he wrote. “After the referee announced that you were disqualified for the hit and your unsportsmanlike acts, you removed your helmet and reengaged with your opponent while walking down and across the field, which started another physical confrontation near the end zone.”
This is the third time this season Al-Shaair has been punished by the league. Last week, he was flagged and later fined $11,255 for a late hit out of bounds on Titans running back Tony Pollard.
He was fined earlier this year after he punched Bears running back Roschon Johnson on the sideline in Week 2. That occurred during a scuffle that started after his hard shot on quarterback Caleb Williams near the sideline wasn’t flagged.
“Your lack of sportsmanship and respect for the game of football and all those who play, coach, and enjoy watching it, is troubling and does not reflect the core values of the NFL," Runyan told Al-Shaair in the letter. "Your continued disregard for NFL playing rules puts the health and safety of both you and your opponents in jeopardy and will not be tolerated.”
Al-Shaair apologized to Lawrence in a long post on X Monday, where he said first said he didn’t see Lawrence sliding until “it was too late” and that it happened “in the blink of an eye” before saying he was sorry for the hit.
Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said Sunday it was a play that ”really has no business being in our league," and said Monday that the team is considering shutting Lawrence down for the season.
AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leaves the field on a cart after getting injured on a late hit by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Evan Engram (17, right) jumps on Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) after his late hit on quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) is looked at by trainers after a late hit by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) slides in front of Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. Lawrence was injured on the play. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
