Ian Healy Questions Labuschagne’s Axing Following Release of Cricket Australia Contract List

Australian cricket legend Ian Healy has voiced his opinion that Nathan McSweeney has been harshly treated by missing out on a Cricket Australia contract for the upcoming year. Healy has also criticised a commentary piece from News Corp that linked the rise of Sam Konstas to Marnus Labuschagne potentially losing his place in the team.

On Tuesday, the list of contracts was unveiled, which saw Matthew Kuhnemann, Konstas, and Beau Webster secure their spots, while Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, and Todd Murphy were removed from last year’s roster.

Despite being Cricket Australia’s initial choice to step in for David Warner as an opener during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy over the summer, McSweeney has also missed the cut.

He participated in the first three Tests, amassing 74 runs at an average of 14.4, with a highest score of 39.

McSweeney was sidelined for the Boxing Day Test, with teenager Konstas taking his place.

Healy expressed that Cricket Australia has not done right by the 26-year-old from Queensland but encouraged him to continue to fight for his spot. “The ones who missed out, Nathan McSweeney in particular, has been treated unjustly over the summer and now in the off-season,” Healy stated during his chat with SEN.

“These guys can make a comeback. They can come back by scoring heavily and proving they deserve to be in the Australian team and earn a contract again. This isn’t the end for them.”

He went on to mention Sean Abbott, stating he may be ‘done and dusted’ after losing his contract this year despite being a solid contributor to the Australian cricket team. He also noted that Todd Murphy, Nathan Lyon’s backup, has now lost his deal, while Aaron Hardie has dropped out of contention for the shorter formats.

Healy expressed his enthusiasm for Konstas, who was awarded a CA contract in spite of the controversy surrounding his exclusion from the Test squad facing Sri Lanka earlier this year. “I’m pleased they have shown faith in Sam Konstas,” he remarked.

Healy also expressed his displeasure over a News Corp headline suggesting that Konstas’s contract could jeopardise Labuschagne’s position in the Test team. “I found it curious that an article today claimed Sam Konstas receiving a contract could place Marnus’ career in jeopardy, which doesn’t make sense to me,” Healy clarified.

“They play in different positions in the batting order, and I fail to see the link. Marnus only needs to keep scoring runs and maintaining his form.”