McSweeney-Wilson-Nasser-McReight...A Quality Queensland Batting Order

Fri, Dec 13, 2024, 3:15 AM
JT
by Jim Tucker
Fraser McReight (left) and Harry Wilson present opener Nathan McSweeney with a Wallabies jersey before the cricket Test at the Gabba
Fraser McReight (left) and Harry Wilson present opener Nathan McSweeney with a Wallabies jersey before the cricket Test at the Gabba

Nathan McSweeney, Harry Wilson, Josh Nasser, Fraser McReight batting with the tail. 

Yep. There was a unique batting order from junior cricket days in the Norths Under-14s in Brisbane with just that roll call of names.

Those friendships sustain. While forwards Wilson, Nasser and McReight have risen to the Queensland Reds and Wallabies ranks in rugby, they have never lost sight of their little mate who stuck with cricket.

That's what made a rare visit to the Gabba on Thursday such a thrill for Wallabies skipper Wilson and his backrow partner McReight when they caught up with Test opener McSweeney.

They were ushered into the inner sanctum for two hours with the Australian cricket team.

From close range, they watched Steve Smith snatching edges out of the sky at fielding practice and being hit flush in the groin while batting.

They watched Australian captain Pat Cummins breeze in and still deliver some sharpish bowling to tune up in the nets.

"Just catching up with Nathan was great. He was always the man, the one who was going to make it in cricket. You could see that in U14s," Wilson said.

"It's a real privilege to get up close with the cricketers just a few days out from the Test against India.

"(Keeper) Alex Carey said he'd been following our results on tour in Europe. There were other guys too who had an interest in the Wallabies which is great to hear. I know I'm always supporting other Australian teams."

Wilson and McReight presented McSweeney, Cummins and Josh Hazlewood with Wallabies jerseys and gratefully received an autographed Test match shirt.

If you spot a Wallabies footy being kicked around by the cricketers on field before play at the Gabba, you'll know where it has come from.

Wilson's cricket knowledge will be tested on the weekend with two radio stints at the Test.

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