Series storylines: Five key Border-Gavaskar Trophy battles

Jasprit Bumrah v Australia's Opening Pair

The more-publicised story featuring new-ball combatants, there has almost been a reality TV-style feel to the vacant Australian Test opening spot.

The privilege to join Usman Khawaja was there after a successful audition from someone, and even after a (potentially tongue-in-cheek) offering from the retired David Warner, the competition was won by South Australia's Nathan McSweeney.

Beating fellow young gun Sam Konstas, too-late-to-fire Marcus Harris and a Cameron Bancroft redemption arc tilt, McSweeney has little experience to bank on against a bowler of Bumrah's ilk or style, but the 25-year-old refuses to make it an excuse as he wades in Test cricket's waters.

“I’m just trying to visualise how I'm going to go about it," McSweeney explained after he won a squad spot.

"Facing a new bowler can be a slight challenge to just pick up their action.

“But there’s probably not (much you can do to replicate how Bumrah bowls).

“Obviously he's got a unique action, he's one of the best bowlers in the world, so it's going to be hard to mimic that, that's for sure."

More on McSweeney as he readies for the potential Bumrah barrage

Bumrah's importance to India's charge was amplified by India's home struggles against New Zealand, and his ability to break into Australia's middle order could be the difference between bowling the hosts out inside two sessions or watching them bat for two days.

A man all too aware of Bumrah's danger, Usman Khawaja has urged his new partner to stick with what has worked in domestic cricket.

"There's no guarantees in cricket...but he doesn't have to do anything different," Khawaja began.

"Just repeat the process. He's been able to handle the pressure at Shield level. When you look at his demeanour, the way he plays, you do kind of feel over a longer period of time he'll be able to handle the scrutiny, the pressure of Test cricket."

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