Nathan McSweeney is officially enduring the worst start to a Test career of any Aussie opener for the past 40 years.

McSweeney has scored just 68 in five Test innings at an average of 17, including one not-out in the small second innings chase in Adelaide.

He’s also been dismissed four times in a row by Jasprit Bumrah.

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Not since Steve Smith in 1984 – no relation to the current No.4 who returned to his best yesterday – has an Australian opener scored less runs from their first five innings. He scored only 41 runs at 8.2 from his first five innings.

To compare with some Aussie opening legends, David Warner scored 190 at 63.3, Phil Hughes 383 at 76.6, Matthew Hayden 150 at 30, and Mark Taylor 203 at 40.6.

Even Aaron Finch (181 at 36.2) and Matt Renshaw (131 at 32.5) all scored more from their first five innings.

The last Aussie to make his debut at the top was Will Pucovski – also against India – at the SCG in 2021. He scored 72 in his only Test, including 62 in the first innings.

In 1985, Robbie Kerr was dropped after two Tests – four innings – in which he scored only 31 runs at 7.75.

Facing Bumrah this series, McSweeney is 4-12 from 52 balls.