Circumstances and conditions haven’t always helped Mitch Swepson this season

Test opener Usman Khawaja rejected suggestions that Mitch Swepson was a victim of ‘circumstances’ and that Queenslander had fallen from the ‘pecking order’ of Australian spinners.

Legspinner Swepson is one of four coordinators for Australia’s squad ahead of their tour of India next month.

However, he is no longer Australia’s second-choice spinner behind Nathan Lyon after left-hander Ashton Agher was selected as Lyon’s co-spinner in the recent SCG test against South Africa.

Perhaps it was Agger’s usual bowling display in Sydney that caused Swepsons to play in the 4 Test series against India. He failed to take a wicket in 22 overs and rarely threatened South African batsmen.

“I don’t particularly think he’s down the pecking order,” Kawaja said of Swepson.

“I think the circumstances this year have made it a little bit harder for him to take wickets.”

Swepson missed the first Sheffield Shield match of the season in Queensland in early October after being called up to the Australian T20 squad.

He then featured for the Bulls in a rain-affected clash with NSW at Drummoyne, taking eight wickets in the game.

However, Swepson was of little need in several Shield matches that ended short due to the green top wicket.

“At the beginning (of the season) he really wasn’t able to bowl much for us (Queensland). We played on some clean green wickets.

“It’s a bit unfair to judge Mitch at the start of this (season), as fast bowlers only dominated shield cricket at the start of the season.

“He has been a great bowler for us for a long time.

“We” include the Brisbane Heat, who will host the Hobart Hurricanes at the BBL’s game at Gabba on Friday night.

“He’s always big and always in the team,” Kawaja said.