Mark Taylor has urged Australia to “roll the dice” and hand Nathan McSweeney a Test debut as an opening batter against India.

Selectors are mulling over a plethora of options to partner Usman Khawaja in the Border-Gavaskar opener in Perth from November 22 but most fluffed their lines in a much ballyhooed ‘bat off.’

Australia A openers Sam Konstas (0 and 16) and Marcus Harris (17 and 36) both failed to make compelling cases against India A in Mackay while Cameron Bancroft matched Konstas with 0 and 16 batting at No.3.

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The side’s skipper, McSweeney, has fared a bit better at No.4.

The 25-year-old scored 39 in the first innings of the four day match and will resume on 47 not out on Sunday in pursuit of victory.

“I would probably go for McSweeney,” Taylor, one of Australia’s great Test captains and openers, told Nine’s Wide World of Sports show on Sunday morning.

“He’s the guy making some runs at the moment. He’s 47 not out, has a chance to make a decent score in that match.

“He could kick on today, make an 80 or close to 100. That would just about, for me, stamp his position. Bear in mind though, he’s not actually an opener. He bats at three for South Australia. He’s batting at four at the moment, so it would be a bit of a roll of the dice. But as I said a moment ago, I’d go for youth and give him a go…

“This is often what happens when you have this sort of situation where people call it a ‘bat off.’

“You end up on a green bouncy track in Mackay, and the guys you’re looking at are all out for ducks…

“But I’ve said right from the word go, with this selection, I’d like to see the selectors look for youth.

“Pick the best player you think’s equipped to face Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Akash Deep. They’re the three guys that are going to test anyone who is picked. So pick the best player equipped to handle those, and if you’re not sure who it is, I’d be definitely going for youth. Give them an opportunity. Start reinvigorating this side.”