A Test call-up for the rookie leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson came as a big surprise as he edged none other than Adam Zampa and Fawad Ahmed for a place in the 16-member squad.
Many believe that the rookie was called up after he received praise from spin legend Shane Warne, but Swepson feels it is the captaincy of Brendon McCullum that helped him find a place in the Test squad.
“As a captain on the field he’s such a calming influence,” Swepson told ESPNcricinfo.
“It’s pretty easy to get soaked up in the BBL, the crowds and the pressure and all that, but to have someone like that standing at short cover next to you when you’re bowling is pretty cool.
“He loves a joke, loves a laugh loves a punt, brings in the field when maybe you shouldn’t. He finds a way to make you relax as a bowler and that’s what he’s helped me with,” Swepson said in praise for McCullum.
“I never really modelled my bowling on anyone.
“I have looked at footage from Shane Warne bowling but more as a fan. I love watching that sort of thing, I love watching videos of Brett Lee bowling 160kmph
“I see myself as a standard leggie who likes to rip the ball. I’ve always been taught since I was a youngster bowling leg-spin to give the ball a good rip. You’ll go for a few runs, you’ll bowl some pump, but if you give yourself a chance to spin the ball hard and get the ball to talk through the air that’s how you’ll get your wickets.
“That’s how I go about it. I know I’ll go for runs and bowl some poor balls, but if I get the wickets that’s what I’m looking for.”
Swepson will be crucial to the Australian team on the spinning tracks in India. During the India-England series, Adil Rashid, the leggie from England, scalped 23 wickets and turned out to be their best bowler in the series. His hidden tricks blended with a surprise factor will be the thing to watch out for in the series, starting February 23.