Next gen needed for Australia's most-gruelling schedule

Nathan McSweeney has declared Australia's next generation are ready to fire with the nation's busiest ever Test schedule likely to open the door for more Test opportunities.
McSweeney led Australia A to a dominant innings-and-127-run win over England Lions at Allan Border Field last weekend, making a brilliant 226no in the process.
The 26-year-old, batting at No.3, put himself in the frame for a possible Test recall in the current Ashes series.
But the jam-packed 2026-2027 calendar will also give him cause for optimism.
From Bangladesh's two-Test tour until the end of the away five-Test Ashes campaign in 2027, they are slated to play up to 21 Tests.
That includes three Tests away to South Africa, four Tests at home against New Zealand plus the 150th Anniversary Test against England at the MCG.
A five-Test tour of India is also squeezed in, along with the possibility of a World Test Championship final before the Ashes.
The fixtures easily make for the busiest 12 months for the Australian Test team - the previous high being 17 between October 2004 and October 2005.
Australia have had the luxury of picking a relatively stable group over the past four years with minimal change other than at the top of the order.
But the strain on players across such a schedule cannot be underestimated, and the next in line who put their hands up with stellar performances for Australia A and in the Sheffield Shield in the lead-up will give selectors a welcome headache.
McSweeney said his experience in Test cricket last summer made him go away and make adjustments, and now his game was "trending the right way" after also making a century in Shield cricket for South Australia.
He is ready for another crack at the highest level, whether that be now or in the upcoming Test extravaganza.
"You want to be scoring runs at the right time as a batter and it is all about timing," McSweeney told AAP.
"All I can do is make sure I keep trying to get better and learn from every innings.
"If I get another chance for Australia then hopefully I am batting as good as I have been and I can hit the ground running in Test cricket.
"I feel like the learnings I've had in my short experience have definitely helped me. If I get another crack hopefully I am better for it."
Victoria opener Campbell Kellaway, who made 71, and Western Australia's Cooper Connolly, who compiled an audacious 88, are two batters set to play multiple Tests in future. Connolly has already made his Test debut.
The fast bowlers for Australia A were all super-impressive against the Lions.
Victoria ace Fergus O'Neill took 4-53 in the second innings, former Test paceman Jhye Richardson snared 4-35 in the first dig and Queensland's Xavier Bartlett took four wickets for the match and belted 83 to showcase his all-rounder status.
All three are in line to get elevated if their form holds, as Australia's ageing attack nears regeneration.
"Cricket Australia and the Shield comp has always been really good at producing Test cricketers for Australia," McSweeney told AAP.
"Scott Boland played so many Shield games before he got an opportunity at international cricket and dominated from the start.
"Nothing has changed. I am really excited for the next generation of players coming through.
"No doubt it will be big shoes to fill but we always seem to find a way and I don't think it will change."
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