Fittingly, Swepson's chance comes just a week after the passing of Shane Warne, who mentored him at times during his career
Mitchell Swepson will make his Test bow for Australia in the second Test of the series against Pakistan.
The 28-year-old first toured with Australia five years ago but has been restricted to a watching brief, such has been the consistency of Nathan Lyon and the strength of the Test team's pace attack.
His selection at Karachi β following a high-scoring draw at Rawalpindi β makes him the first specialist wrist-spinner to debut since Bryce McGain, who only signed his first professional contract aged 35 and then went wicketless in his solitary, expensive Test appearance against South Africa in 2009.
"He's pumped and, to be honest, we're all pumped for Swepo," said Pat Cummins, Australia's Test captain. "It's been a long time running drinks over the last couple of years, but he's absolutely ready.
"He's been a huge part of the squad, even though he hasn't been playing. So, we're really excited to see him get a chance. The wicket here is a little bit drier and historically a bit friendlier for the spinners."
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Fittingly, his chance comes just a week after the passing of Shane Warne, whose void as a wrist-spinner has never been filled since his retirement.
Stuart MacGill was forced to end his career due to injury shortly afterwards, with left-arm wrist-spinners Brad Hogg and Beau Casson both tried as short-lived experiments, while Cameron White and Steve Smith were each picked as leg-spinning allrounders a decade ago.
Swepson, replacing Josh Hazlewood in Australia's line-up, paid tribute on social media to Warne, who mentored him, describing him as "truly the greatest cricketer I've ever seen play the game".
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