Cricket Australia, on Sunday, announced their 16-member squad to face India for the upcoming Test series, starting February 23. Among the few surprising selections, addition of leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson leads the list.
Going by his own words, the call-up to the national team was completely out of his mind and that it came as nothing but a pleasing surprise. Shane Warne, who has a history of mentoring the leg-spinner, endorsed Swepson last week and pushed his case hard for the selection, despite the Queensland leggie having played just 14 First-Class matches so far.
“It’s awesome to get that sort of feedback from the best leg-spinner we’ve ever seen play the game. To be honest, I didn’t really know how to take it (Selection). I was just so shocked.”
Speaking to Optus Sport, the leggie from Queensland credited Shane Warne for his success and said his feedback really helped him and also he (Swepson) owes Warne a beer next time they meet.
“I’m sure when I meet up with him, I’ll have to give him a beer or shake his hand and thank him for all his comments. It’s good to know there’s people out there who like what I’m doing.”
Reportedly, Swepson hasn’t spoken to Warne since his selection names came up but said he has been receiving good wishes from across the Australian Cricket fraternity. National side skipper Steven Smith was among them while his fellow squad mate Nathan Lyon too texted him.
Fawad Ahmed, the leg-spinner, who was also in the contention for making it into the playing squad, is believed to have sent him the good wishes.
“My phone has been going non-stop. I’ve had a couple of surprise messages; one from the captain Steve Smith, a couple from some others spinners like Nathan Lyon and Fawad Ahmed, so it was really awesome to hear those congratulations from those blokes.”
Playing for Brisbane Heat in the BBL 2016/17, Swepson has picked up nine wickets in six matches played so far.