Australia opening spot still up for grabs

Express Tribune

15-05-2025

Australia's David Warner and Usman Khawaja take to the field for the final time together. Photo: REUTERS
Australia's opening partnership has been the subject of much debate since David Warner retired and remains unresolved less than a month before the World Test Championship final against South Africa.
Since Warner played his last Test match in January 2024, Usman Khawaja has had no fewer than four opening partners in 11 matches and the 38-year-old could have yet another with the world title on the line at Lord's in mid-June. Ahead of the World Test Championship (WTC) final from June 11 against South Africa at Lord's, there is a possibility that there could be a fifth different opener in 12 Tests during this period.
Sam Konstas has a chance of resuming his Test career after the two outings against India, but the selectors might again get creative. Marnus Labuschagne is in the frame, despite an average of 28.33 in this WTC cycle, while Josh Inglis, who made a century on debut in Sri Lanka, has not been discounted either, with national selector George Bailey suggesting the opening position does not need to be a specialist role.
"I do think that it's a role that more people could do than we would probably give credit to," head selector George Bailey said on Tuesday after announcing the squad for the final and the tour of West Indies that follows.
"There is a prevailing thought (that) it's a specialised role, but I think in certain conditions there's opportunities at different times where other guys could do it."
Of Khawaja's recent partners, Steve Smith has moved back down the batting order, Nathan McSweeney has been dropped while Travis Head and Sam Konstas remain options after being named in the squad.
Head has an impressive record in the middle order in English conditions, however, and teenager Konstas enjoyed a stunning debut against India late last year but was dropped for the tour of Sri Lanka in January and February.
"It's pretty clear that he's not the finished product," Bailey said of Konstas.
"He's on a journey. He's a highly talented player. But again, that's not to discount his ability to play in the World Test Championship, should he be required."
Australia have looked beyond frontline red-ball openers since Warner's retirement - and with mixed results. Steven Smith had first dibs on the role, largely to allow Cameron Green to return at No. 4. Smith lasted as an opener across only four Tests against West Indies and New Zealand, although his stint did include a superb 91 not out at the Gabba. Nathan McSweeney then made his debut against India in Perth, having opened for the first time a couple of weeks earlier for Australia A, and like many, found life tough against Jasprit Bumrah.
Then, in Sri Lanka earlier this year, Travis Head reverted to the job in what had intially been a long-term plan after the impact he made in India in 2023, which meant Konstas, a specialist opener in his brief domestic career, made way after just two matches. There is a view that Konstas will play in the West Indies even if he doesn't feature in the WTC final. But if someone else gets the opportunity against South Africa and is successful, then that would leave the selectors with further tricky decisions.
With all-rounder Cameron Green returning after back surgery, albeit only as a batsman initially, Marnus Labuschagne has been floated as a candidate to move to the top of the order to make space for him.
"I think Marnus could open the batting," said Bailey. "A number of guys could open the batting, but certainly that's not to say that they will."
Australia will defend their world Test title against the Proteas in a one-off clash at Lord's from June 11 to 15 before playing a three-Test series in the Caribbean in June and July.