While behind premier off-spinner Nathan Lyon in the Australian pecking order, leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson is excited on being picked in the squad to face India in the forthcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The uncapped 27-year-old, who has entered the squad on the back of a terrific run playing for Queensland in the Sheffield Shield, now wants to prove his mettle at the highest level by delivering those performances against the likes of Virat Kohli.
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Given Lyon's presence, Swepson is unlikely to bowl to Kohli at Adelaide, the venue for the first Test, which will be the Indian captain's only game of the four-Test series. Nevertheless, Swepson could get his wish in the pre-series D/N warm-up fixture that Kohli will be playing.
"You want to challenge yourself against the best, and it's no secret he's (Kohli) up there with the best," Swepson was quoted as saying by IANS.
"For me, it's another challenge and another thing that excites me to be able to test myself against a great cricketer. Their whole batting line-up is world-class. So any opportunity to bowl at those guys is a test for myself and a challenge I can't wait to get," he added.
Swepson also spoke of playing back-up to Lyon as he remains upbeat over the possibility of bowling in tandem with the great off-spinner in the last Test against India in Sydney. Needing to manage workloads of the pacemen after three high-pressure Tests and the traditionally spin-friendly deck at SCG will definitely bring that option in consideration for the Australian team management.
"Gaz is obviously the premier spinner and has been for a while," Swepson said. "He's proven himself time and again in Test matches. I'm not counting my chickens too much there with getting a go above him. But if conditions suit, there may be a chance they play two spinners."
"I'll be preparing to play all four games. If the chance comes, I'll hopefully take it with two hands. And if not, so be it. I'm sure there'll be more chances in the future," he added.
