Australian cricket great Ian Healy believes Nathan McSweeney is extremely unlucky to miss out on a Cricket Australia contract for the upcoming year and has taken to task a News Corp comment piece that linked Sam Konstas' emergence to the potential axing of Marnus Labuschagne.
The 23-man list of contracts was revealed on Tuesday, with Matthew Kuhnemann, Konstas and Beau Webster joining the coveted group, while Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott and Todd Murphy have dropped off last year's list.
McSweeney has also missed out despite being Cricket Australia's first option to replace David Warner as opener for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy over summer
He played the first three Tests, making 74 runs at an average of 14.4, with a top score of 39.
McSweeney was dropped for the Boxing Day Test, replaced by the teenage sensation Konstas.
Healy believes CA has treated the 26-year-old Queenslander poorly, but advises him to dig deep and earn his spot back.
"The losers (of the contract calls) – Nathan McSweeney, he's real stiff with the way he was treated through the summer and now in the off-season," Healy told SEN.
"But these fellas can fight back. They can fight back with massive runs and get into the Australian side and earn enough points to get a contract again. They're not done and dusted.
"Sean Abbott, he may be done and dusted. He's been a great supporter for the Australian cricket team, but has now lost his contract for this year.
"Todd Murphy, the understudy to Nathan Lyon, has lost his contract, Aaron Hardie's fallen out of the white ball part of the game."
The Aussie great expressed his excitement for Konstas, who received a CA contract despite the controversy surrounding his omission from the Test side that took on Sri Lanka earlier in the year.
"Todd Murphy, the understudy to Nathan Lyon, has lost his contract, Aaron Hardie's fallen out of the white ball part of the game."
The Aussie great expressed his excitement for Konstas, who received a CA contract despite the controversy surrounding his omission from the Test side that took on Sri Lanka earlier in the year.
"I love that they have shown some faith in Sam Konstas," he said.
Healy also took issue with a News Corp headline suggesting Konstas receiving a contract could see Marnus Labuschagne axed from the Test XI.
"I found it interesting that it was written today Sam Konstas getting a contract puts Marnus' career on edge, I don't understand that," Healy said.
"They're in different batting positions in the order and I don't see the connection.
"Marnus just needs to knock out a few more runs and keep going."
Author – Nic Negrepontis
Source: https://www.nine.com.au/sport/cricket/news-2025-australia-contracts-sam-konstas-v-marnus-labuschagne-ian-healy-comments-20250402-p5lohu.html
