Aussie cricket star Ed Cowan brands reporter a 'marshmallow' as pair get into a savage war of words over Nathan McSweeney

Just two innings into his career as a first-class opener, Nathan McSweeney is ready to take the first ball on debut for Australia - and the selection has caused a war of words between a former Test opener and a reporter.

The Queenslander, who moved to South Australia for more opportunities in 2021, has won the race to be Usman Khawaja's opening partner for the start of the blockbuster Test series against India .

McSweeney will become the first Australian in 47 years to make his Test debut as an opener despite never having batted there at Sheffield Shield level.

However, not everyone is a fan of the move, with former Test opener Ed Cowan suggesting that selectors were taking 'a guess', explaining that the data on McSweeney facing a new ball doesn't reflect particularly well.

Cowan's viewpoint wasn't shared by former player Aaron Finch, who said he liked the appointment of McSweeney and that 'all selection is literally guessing'.

Sports reporter Ben Dorries also disagreed with Cowan's remarks and slammed Cowan's playing record on social media.

'What about one of the greatest Test batsmen Australia has ever produced [laughing emoji] Ed Cowan giving it to Nathan McSweeney before the kid has even made his debut,' he posted on X.

'Ed Cowan. Yes, Ed Cowan. Spell. Be even more Aussies cheering for McSweeney now. Go son.'

Cowan didn't take long to fire back at Dorries.

'Ben Dorries - the ultimate hit man turned marshmallow?' he replied.

'Rolled more careers than Les Burdett has wickets! If you actually listen (too busy no doubt preparing another hatchet job), I will be cheering him on every single ball as we all should be. This was about the process.'

Dorries returned serve to Cowan, posting: 'Not a massive ABC aficionado. But not sure how saying the 'data' suggests he doesn't have the temperament or the technique to do it is really about the 'process.' Whatever all that means. Total gibber. I'll jog off to whack some marshmallows on the fire.'

McSweeney will become Australia's 467th men's Test player, and first since spinner Matt Kuhnemann debuted in Delhi in February 2023.

The right-hander will almost certainly face the first ball, something he is prepared to do.

'I've heard that 'Uzzy' [Khawaja] is not the biggest fan of it,' a beaming McSweeney said on Sunday.

'I faced the first ball in both innings out here [at the MCG], so I'm comfortable with that.

'I've already been told that by a couple of the boys.

'Other than walk out one position earlier than I normally do, my prep is the exact same.

'I trained with the new ball batting at three, and you can be in there in the first over of the game.'

McSweeney beat Marcus Harris for the vacant spot, created when Steve Smith was shuffled back to No.4 after allrounder Cameron Greeen was ruled out for the summer with a back injury.

Harris, who last played a Test in January 2022, has even missed out on being part of the extended squad after selectors chose Australia's white-ball wicketkeeper Josh Inglis to be the spare batter.

Left-hander Harris top-scored with 74 for Australia A at the MCG, but he also fell for a golden duck in the second innings.

After batting at No.4 for Australia A in Mackay, McSweeney swapped places with NSW teen opener Sam Konstas.

Bailey had seen enough to pick McSweeney for the first Test at Optus Stadium, saying the last tour game was 'icing on the cake'.

'We really value Australia A cricket,' Bailey said.

'It's important to put a little bit of onus on these games

'It would have been disrespectful to the game to have had announced this squad a week ago, we wanted to play it out and get as much information as possible.

'They don't necessarily send someone from the bottom of the pile to the top, but they continue to put together good cases.'