Australia’s infamous date with sandpaper back in March this year has left an Australian Test batting order struggling for both consistency and composure.

Combined with our regular reliance on the two world-class batsmen that David Warner and Steve Smith are, the lack of standout players in the Sheffield Shield arena has begged one enormous question: Who can, will and should break into the Australian Test side?

For the purposes of the article, there are certain players that have seemingly guaranteed their spot in the Test line-up against India come December 6 in Adelaide. They include: (1) Aaron Finch, (3) Usman Khawaja, (5) Travis Head, (7) Tim Paine, (8) Patrick Cummins, (9) Mitchell Starc, (10) Nathan Lyon, and (11) Joshua Hazlewood.

This would leave positions 2, 4 and 6 as open to the best performers in the Sheffield Shield. Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne are the three players from the UAE tour in jeopardy.

However, strong performances for all three of them in either the ODI arena vs South Africa or the Sheffield Shield would most likely have them keep their positions in the team indefinitely.

The potential replacements below will be broken up into four simple categories: (2) – Opener, (4) – Middle Order Batsmen*, (6) All-rounders, and a utility section dedicated to players who could bat in any of the three positions.

*These batsmen are also able to bat at Number #6, if Australia do not select an established all-rounder as per. recent tradition.

Specialist openers

Matthew Renshaw
Of the three specialist openers in contention, Renshaw is the only one with previous Test match experience. Being only 22 years of age, his future is already looking a bright one – largely due to his now rare ability to dig deep and knuckle down for lengthy periods of time.

Despite being dropped once, his current Test average of 33.5 runs (First Class average of 40.1) is nothing to sneeze at given his youth and natural grit.

While he still probably the most likely of the three to be selected, he is still under pressure to score a decent amount of runs in time for the first Test against India in Adelaide.

Scores of 3 and 0 in the most recent round of Shield cricket have not shown his best, however time is on his side to improve before the first test. His occasional off-spin bowling and usefulness as a specialist 1st slip fielder will also be welcomed by Justin Langer, should he be selected.

Jake Weatherald
On the cusp of turning 24, Weatherald is quickly making himself a well-known name across the domestic cricket community.

Having shown his exciting cricketing potential across all three formats of the game, Jake is now heavily focused on presenting himself on the international stage as an attacking, opening Test batsmen.

Jake’s recent ability to translate domestic one-day (and arguably T20 Big Bash) runs into the Sheffield Shield arena has been invaluable for the SA Redbacks, and undoubtedly shows the international selectors his versatility in all three versions of the game.

His ability to demoralise bowlers in the space of just a few balls is a trait not as easily seen in his fellow competitor Renshaw, and what may set himself apart from opposition. A gritty 69 off 188 in Round 2 of the Shield also showed his temperament and grit; something very important in Test cricket.

Marcus Harris
At 26 years of age, Harris has been on the Sheffield Shield scene for quite some time, having debuted for Western Australia in the 2010/11 season. An interesting stat to note is that since Harris’ debut, no one has scored more Sheffield Shield runs than him in the eight-year period.

His first-class average of just under 35 lines up with Weatherald, which may somewhat surprise close followers of the Shield. However, Round 2 of the Sheffield Shield has brought him ample confidence, with a mesmerising 250* against NSW.

This innings will undoubtedly bring extra attention to his future form, and is definitely heating up competition for the opening role available. His ability to score both quickly and conservatively at the top of the order is something that will work in his favour.

Before the start of Round 2, it is fair to assume he was the least likely to be called upon in the First Test, meaning he would need to score a truckload of runs to move up in the pecking order.

His maiden double ton will certainly help him in this regard, and would currently be making Renshaw and Weatherald a tad nervous.

Middle-order batsmen (competing with Marnus Labuschagne)

Will Pucovski
At just 20 years of age, Will Pucovski has burst onto the domestic scene with plenty of elegance. In his last four first class games, he has amassed two enormous scores of 188 and 243. As a result, he averages 52 flat on the domestic scene, albeit from seven matches.

However, Victoria Cricket has recently stated that Will is taking indefinite leave from state level to address arising mental health issues. It is at this stage unclear as to when he will return to state cricket, and therefore leaves a question mark over his potential selection.

Callum Ferguson
Arguably one of the unluckiest Australian cricketers to ever receive a baggy green, Callum Ferguson is by no means past his prime when it comes to four-day cricket.

Injury has prevented him before from playing more regularly at international level, but has yet to damage his form and reputation as one of the most reliable batsmen South Australia has produced in the modern era.

Back to back hundreds in the JLT Cup sparked media attention on a possible call-up back to the team, simultaneously bringing about high expectations on his batting this season.

A slight calf strain prevented Ferguson from playing Round 2 of the Sheffield Shield, but he will look to slot straight back in and make up for lost time.

While probably behind Maxwell and Handscomb in the current pecking order, his reputation as a hard worker will only boost his chances of a recall in the future.

Glenn Maxwell
Debatably the most notable omission from Australia’s recent tour of the UAE, Maxwell can certainly consider himself unlucky. Despite playing seven Test matches for Australia so far, he is still yet to debut at home in the Test arena.

This is mainly due to him being a great player of spin, and therefore an asset on foreign, turning wickets.

His match-winning style of play in the shorter formats is unquestionable, and brings a damning strike rate with it.

Coach Justin Langer has specifically said to Maxwell that his talent is indisputable, and that a strong start to his red-ball season will all but confirm a spot on the XI when the opportunity arises.

Whilst normally classed as an all-rounder, in recent years he has been bowled less and less at the top level; suggesting that if he was picked, it would be predominantly as a batsman.

His fielding is also as good as anyone at international level, and is safely ahead of his opposition in that regard.

Peter Handscomb
Having made his Test debut in Adelaide, 2016 against an ever-intimidating South African bowling line-up, Handscomb has not done a lot wrong on the cricket field since. Despite this, he found himself dropped from the Australian team at the end of the South African tour earlier this year with a Test average of 43.6 – arguably a harsh message from the selectors.

Having averaged 51.5 in the JLT ODI series, Handscomb has found himself in good form for the upcoming Shield games. On top of this, he is the batsmen in this category with the most Test experience and at the level has by no means failed.

His very handy wicket-keeping is an asset if ever needed on the international stage, whilst also being a recognised gully fieldsman.

Kurtis Patterson
Ever since his proposed selection in the Test team two years ago against South Africa, media coverage surrounding Patterson has somewhat quietened. Not renowned for flashy or flamboyant stroke play, Kurtis will be looking to recapture the eye of the public with heavy run scoring between now and December.

With a first class average of just under 40, his stats seem to suggest he is well poised for any call-ups he may receive.

Conversely though, a concern of the selectors is his conversion rate of 50s to 100s. Exactly 20 per cent of his scores above 50 have led to triple figures which is by no means an amazing conversion rate at state level.

Nevertheless, Patterson has shown his consistency of late with twin fifties against Victoria. If he is able to ton up multiple times between now and December, both his stats and form will become increasingly hard to ignore.

The all-rounders (competing with Mitchell Marsh)

Marcus Stoinis
Ever since storming onto the ODI stage with a heart-stopping 146* against New Zealand, Stoinis has been touted as a potential replacement for Mitch Marsh in the Australian Test team. In recent times, Stoinis has arguably been Australia’s go to all-rounder in the shorter formats, with his monstrous hitting complimented with consistent, line and length bowling.

However, he shares very similar statistics with Mitch in the first-class arena; with a slightly higher batting average evened out with his higher bowling average (44 avg. @ 72 SR).

Stoinis’ eye-catching athleticism is something that may pip Mitch Marsh at the post when it comes to selection. Much like everyone else vying for a Test position, Marcus will need to prove himself with regular runs in the Sheffield Shield.

Hilton Cartwright
Having played just the two Tests for Australia, Hilton was touted as the next-best replacement for Mitch Marsh at the time of his elongated drop in form. His short stint in the team and lack of persistence from selectors certainly confused the Australian public, having only batted twice and bowling nine overs in the five-day format.

Given his status as an all-rounder, a first-class batting average of 38 is well above what would be required statistically at Test level. His bowling, whilst slightly less eye-catching, is still very sound.

Purely based off first-class statistics, it would seem that Cartwright is the better batsman over Marsh, but Mitchell is the more effective bowler. For the selectors, it would likely come down to what they are looking for more; an extra batting all-rounder, or someone who is likely to bowl more overs.

Moises Henriques
At domestic level, Henriques is seen as ‘Mr. Consistent’, with his runs and bowling figures regularly enabling NSW to win games in all formats.

Like Maxwell, Moises has only played his Test matches (4) in Asia – outlining his strength of playing spin on turning pitches.

Having captained his state in each format of the game Henriques is touted as a natural leader who is looking to mature as a cricketer. He has been around the scene long enough now to firmly establish himself as a genuine Test all-rounder, and will most certainly be looking for standout performances this summer to grab the selectors attention.

Whilst highly unlikely to play in the first few Tests this summer (at the least), it is only fair to mention him as someone who could break into the Test side under the condition he performs at his best.

Having recently made good starts in in recent times, he will be as hungry as evert to convert them into notable scores, and no doubt big, big hundreds as he has shown before (high score of 265).

Ashton Agar
In the past two seasons, Ashton Agar has somewhat flown under the radar when it comes to Test selection. He has often been part of travelling Test and ODI squads, but has never had a run of more than two Tests in the side.

His recent travel to the UK to play county cricket will indisputably help him in his bid be part of the Ashes squad for next year as he looks to master the swinging Duke ball.

He has always been around the mark in Shield, with two hundreds and five five-wicket hauls confirming his enormous potential.

Given Australia’s recent want for a Shane Watson type all-rounder (batter who bowls handy medium pace), it is unlikely Agar will be able to edge out Marsh and his competition for the Number 6 spot in the Australian team.

However, a call-up in the Sydney Test match later this summer could be on the cards, if the pitch looks to be spin-friendly. If this opportunity arises, it would help him greatly in his bid to play in the UK next year, and may just snatch the contentious all-rounder position.

While he won’t be picked for the first Test, we could certainly see him selected later on in the season should no one cement their place in the team at Number 6.

The utilities (any of the three available positions, but potentially Shaun Marsh’s spot)

Joe Burns
Much like Peter Handscomb, Burns can count himself unlucky to not have played more Test cricket of late.

With the most experience at Test level amongst his competition, Joe will be eager to hit form as early as possible in the Sheffield Shield – before the selectors attention drifts to youth and potential.

History suggests that Burns really could bat anywhere in the Top 6 if picked, a competitive edge he has over rival batsmen domestically.

A traditional stroke player most of the time, Burns is a hard batsman to get out once he sees off the new ball in state cricket. A recent half century against South Australia has got the runs ticking over so far, but he will need to bat for longer periods of time consistently if he is to truly be considered for the first Test in Adelaide.

D’Arcy Short
No doubt a wildcard selection for the start of the Test summer, D’Arcy Short already has the backing of cricketing legend Shane Warne, who selected him in his proposed ‘First Test XI’ against India.

As displayed in the JLT One-Day cup, Short can obliterate attacks with the right mindset and intent; it is just a matter of him staying in long enough to do so.

In fact, his first-class stats actually suggest that he is a better bowler than he is batter, with a batting average of just 23.6 in his nine matches.

This is obviously slightly disproportionate to what we all know he is capable of, but given he is yet to prove himself in the longer form it would be hard to completely justify selection right now.

Short has batted in various positions in his time at WA, and hypothetically, if selected could bat anywhere in the Top 7.

His ability to bowl left-arm chinaman also gives him another point of difference from his competition. It is hard to see Australia picking him as an opener in the five-day format just yet, and would more likely begin a Test career in the middle order once he affirms himself in Shield cricket.