McSweeney came up trumps in the bat-off against Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris and Sam Konstas to earn the right to partner Usman Khawaja for the first Test against India in Perth, starting Friday.
The pressure will be on McSweeney to produce the goods when he faces up to India's star-studded attack.
And he was given a good taste of what's to come when he strode to the middle of the WACA on Monday to face teammates Starc, Lyon and Cummins in a near hour-long session, with Josh Hazlewood joining in at the end.
Steve Smith and Khawaja alternated with McSweeney during the hit-out, with the trio looking to acclimatise to the extra bounce in Perth ahead of the first Test.
McSweeney looked uncomfortable at times during the session, and he has just three more days to get his eye in before the blockbuster five-Test series begins.
India captain Rohit Sharma, who is still in Mumbai after he and his wife welcomed their second child into the world on Friday, is set to miss the series opener.
Rising star Shubman Gill is also set to miss the first Test after reportedly breaking his thumb during a WACA practice session over the weekend.
McSweeney has never opened in Sheffield Shield cricket, with his only first-class hit-out in the position coming during the second Australia A v India A contest.
Nathan McSweeney in action for Australia A against India A at the MCG. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)
The 25-year-old posted scores of 39, 88 not out, 14 and 25 in his four innings against India A, and he also knocked up scores of 55, 127no, 37 and 72 to start the Sheffield Shield season, as well as 137 in a domestic one-dayer.
But whether he can translate his hot domestic form into the Test arena remains a big question, especially in an unfamiliar opening position.
Another player that will be under the microscope this series is India superstar Virat Kohli.
The 36-year-old averaged just 15.5 during the shock 3-0 Test series defeat to NZ in India last month, and the heat is on him to bounce back from his form slump.
25°C