Swepson positive about T20-heavy Test preparation

Australia leg-spinner Mitch Swepson believes his skills can be useful in all three formats, as the Queenslander braces for what could be a T20-heavy preparation before a next Test appearance.

Swepson has played Australia's last four Tests in Pakistan and Sri Lanka since making his long-awaited debut in March this year, but is realistic about his chances of making the XI when the home Test summer kicks off against the West Indies in Perth on November 30.

Barring injury to Nathan Lyon, Swepson's next international cap appears most likely to be against India next February when Australia embarks on a much-anticipated four-Test tour of the subcontinent powerhouse.

Not that the 28-year-old – who has 10 wickets in his first four Tests – is letting it dampen his spirits as he embraces the prospect of an extended run of games with Queensland and the Brisbane Heat.

"The last couple of years I've been starved of game time, particularly with the boys at Brisbane," Swepson told cricket.com.au at a BBL|12 Draft launch event on Monday.

"The priority for me is obviously trying to crack into that Test team but if it doesn't happen, which is probably most likely the case over the summer, it means I'll be fronting up for Brisbane for pretty much every game.

"I can't wait – it's been a long couple of years without playing for the guys so I'm so keen to get out there and play in teal again."

While 14 games of T20 cricket might not be ideal preparation for an important Test tour, Swepson said that challenge is all part of being a modern-day cricketer.

"You have to be ready to do that, to be able to adapt," he said.

"You see guys floating down the white ball path and then others floating down the red ball path but I think leg-spin can be really effective in all formats of the game.

"For me, I think my skill set can be useful in the three formats and it's just about developing how I use them in any scenario.

"Fourteen games of white ball cricket might not be the best prep for a Test match, but it's still 14 times four overs out in the middle in a high-pressure situation against quality opposition – it's still great preparation for something like an India Test tour.

"A good leg-break is still good in a Big Bash game and still good in a Test match.

"As long as my stock ball is coming out really nicely, I think my variations will come around with it if I need to use them in a white-ball game, and that's basically what I've been basing my preparation around."

Swepson said he was yet to speak with selectors around whether he might play a role in the Test side this summer given Australia's hectic ODI and T20 schedule prior to the first Test against the West Indies.

And while he is holding out hope of being part of Australia's T20 World Cup title defence on home soil having been a member of the 15-player squad during the nation's maiden triumph in the UAE last year, Swepson's focus right now is starting the domestic season well for Queensland.

"Spin bowling in these conditions in Australia where the boundaries are really big square (of the wicket) works really well," he said.

"If the selectors and the coaches think that spin might play a factor throughout the World Cup, maybe I'll get a little selection there, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.

"At the moment I've got my mind focused on the upcoming season for Queensland. We've got a couple of one-dayers in September, and then the (Sheffield) Shield starts straightaway.

"So I'm really just building towards that and looking to try and take as many wickets as I can."

As for this Sunday's KFC BBL|12 Draft, Swepson said he'd be keen to see the Heat target some strike power with their No.3 pick, with the likes of Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, Liam Livingstone, Jason Roy and Faf du Plessis up for grabs as platinum selections in the first round.

"They're massive hitters of the ball so any of those guys would be a great pick up for us," Swepson said.

The BBL|12 Draft will be held on Sunday, August 28 and broadcast live on Foxtel and Kayo Sports following the first ODI between Australia and Zimbabwe in Townsville.

Click herefor a full list of players to have nominated for the BBL|12 Draft.