The number 3 spot has been a position that some of the greatest batsmen of the game have occupied. From the greatest in Sir Donald Bradman, to likes of Lara, Ponting, Root, Williamson and the Chappell’s. Even Nathan Lyon! Though he might be great for another reason.
With Usman Khawaja moving on in age it is time to consider who should be developed into our next main first drop batsman.
Khawaja has by no means had a spectacular career averaging only 38 at first drop, he has however, become one of the best batsmen in the country in recent years, behind only Steve Smith and David Warner.
In the past year, the amount of responsibility placed upon him has been great and he responded with averages of 76, 28 and 56 in the past three series without Smith.
No doubt Australia would have been in an even bigger mess without Khawaja and may have completely fallen in a heap. But as he is reaching the tail end of his career, we may only get 2-4 more years out of him if we are doing well, and we must consider our options to promote to number 3. I have compiled a list below.
Steve Smith
While Steve Smith has been mostly batting at 4, he has spent some time at number three and has had a very healthy return from that position. At 3 he has scored 1744 runs at 67. This is trumped by his returns at 4 which stand at 2673 run at 74.
While Smith would be also around 32 if he got promoted when Khawaja finishes up, he would have at least four years left in the tank of solid runs, and it could be hugely beneficial to both a younger middle order and to his leadership credentials, assuming he is captain again.
While he is the best since Bradman, there could be major flaws with his technique exposed by the swinging ball if he is coming in very early, specifically lbw and leading edges from flicking the ball across his pads.
That being said, he is one of the best batsmen ever, so this would most likely prove a minor problem.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Marnus Labuschagne
Young Marnus has shown a lot of promise both at an international level and a state/county level. His time at first drop for Queensland hasn’t been the most successful, his form for Glamorgan has been second to none with him currently topping the division run-scorers with 1114 at 65.5.
To put this into comparison his closest rival is Dawid Malan with 885, a gap of 229. If given the time, Marnus could be able to develop into a fine number three, with a wide array of shots and a solid defence.
The thing I like most about Marnus is his footwork and his dead straight bat in defence, which can neutralize the swinging ball. He is also one of the few Australian’s who is very confident and able to play the sweep shot, which adds variety to counter spin bowlers as well with his wonderful sweeping was on display against Sri Lanka.
Marnus can be very shaky and sometimes struggles to control his flicks, so he would need some time to work on certain areas of his batting before heading into number three, which would work around Khawaja’s career ending.
Will Puckovski
Will Puckovski bats at first drop for Victoria and had a very dominant season in the shield for the Bushies, which resulted in his call up to the test team and his tour of the UK.
I haven’t followed Puckovski much, but it seems he is incredibly strong on short pitch bowling and on driving straight down the ground.
From watching highlights, I believe a weakness would be the length ball just outside off, where he has a tendency to hang his bat a little, which leads to him nicking off.
Overall though, he has huge potential and I look forward to seeing his career progress.
Kurtis Patterson
Patterson has come out all guns blazing with a fantastic Test debut and a solid Shield season which has seen him score 724 runs at 40.
Patterson has always been a run machine since his debut and has even been compared to the great Sir Alastair Cook, who is one of the toughest players ever.
He has been a pure run machine for New South Wales, constantly being in the top three run scorers since 2015, and he almost deserved a call up a few years ago, but it may be for better he has waited.
After test debut, Justin Langer described him as “every part a test player” and with a very solid technique and mental toughness, Patterson would be arguably one of the best options for the number three role after a few years in the test circuit.
He is my pick to make a major impact at first drop for Australia, and I believe was a mistake to leave out of the Ashes Squad.
Here are the main four players to look out for in the coming years and I certainly hope that the smart Roarers that you are will be able to throw a few more names in the ring.
Paul
Roar Guru
hi Spinosu, I don't disagree with your selections or where they should bat. Selectors though tend to be pretty conservative and while I can see a great deal of promise in what you've suggested, I'm guessing they'll stick with what they think works ie, Warner & Harris to open, Khawaja at 3, Head at 5 and probably Labuschagne at 6.
Spinosum
Roar Rookie
Hello Paul, Some great insight there but my preference in the first match would be opening with Khawaja and Bancroft, Warner first drop then Smith at four. That makes a battle between Harris and Head at five, Paine six and my mysterious bowlers to follow. Unconventional but I think it might work given the field.
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
I was being a tad sarcastic
badmanners
Roar Rookie
Yes, but we're talking batting here.
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
I think people do mention Mitch Swepson and Lloyd Pope, people being Shane Warne. No doubt they just are not up to it yet. I really think CA should put the foot down and get serious about their test cricket and force the batsmen to play county cricket every two or three seasons minimum. Also, a massive shield revamp to the cash cow that the Indians contribute nothing to isn't destroying FC form with slogathons. I think Patterson and Puckovski should probably try and spend as much time in other countries long form competitions as possible rather than be payed the big bucks for IPL, BBL etc. It worked for Sir Alastair Cook, and it would help our batting to no end
Paul
Roar Guru
We have two major issues we need to address as a matter of urgency if we are to get back to that number one Test spot. The first is a lack of a squad of Test quality batsmen and the second is a lack of 2 or 3 Test quality spinners. In the first instance, we have guys who are potentially up to Test standard, but they simply aren't consistent. I include Harris, Burns, Labuschagne, Patterson and even Puckovski in that list. We need them to be making runs anywhere they play, be it in Test or Shield games. In terms of a spinner to replace Lyon, the cupboard is bare. the obvious candidates have been tried like Bennett but he just hasn't got it, while O'Keefe is likely to rue his off filed antics as he might have been an able replacement, but won't play Tests again.
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
I always like to challenge myself with articles like this and look to the future a little bit. You do make a great point about the overseas, where someone like Burns might be a good 3 since he has a few gears. I think Patterson could be strong overseas if we need that rock at three, but certainly I like maybe Marnus at three in India due to his strong sweeping and maybe a Puckovski at home. I love debating and considering all the potential combinations of a squad. You have to remember too that someone like Renshaw is only young, so we are really quite blessed with Openers and Lower Order batsmen, but 3 & 4 are a bit trickier without Smith and Khawaja
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
Gee, Its a bit rough on Ponting to compare him to Stoinis isn't it?
U
Roar Rookie
He’s already better than Ponting
McBumble
Guest
The future #3 has been here the whole time: Marcus Stoinis. He has the technique and poise to become one of the greats (not as great as Ponting but close to it)
Paul
Roar Guru
This is a real toughie. Noah, because it all comes down to what you can expect from your openers. That golden period in Australian cricket in the 80's, '90's, etc coincided with some great opening combinations; Marsh/Boon, Marsh/Taylor, Taylor/Slater and of course Langer/Hayden. This meant you could have a guy batting 3 who was capable of moving the game along, if these blokes got a start - which they did pretty regularly. Contrast that with England's openers now and you effectively need a 3rd opener batting at three. The problem is, England are struggling to find that 3rd good opener. Warner's going to be around for a while and Burns & Harris both look like they're going to be good for at least 4 or 5 years, as is Bancroft. Our issue is getting good starts away from Australia and maybe that's where we need to think outside the box. At home, any one of the guys you named would be suitable to bat at three, assuming we got a decent start. I'd even be thinking about Wade as a possibility at 3, especially if the side got a very good start. Overseas, do we choose 3 openers, so if we lose an early wicket, which happens pretty often, a guy can come in with the skills required to start an innings? Say Warner and Harris to open, with Burns to bat 3? Right now, I don't think we have a batsman good enough to bat 3 both in Australia and overseas, so why try and force someone into a mould that ultimately hurts the team? If a natural number 3 comes along, like another Ponting, slot him in and hope he has a long career, but otherwise I think we need to be creative with our batting lineups in the same way we have to be with our bowling attacks.