Australia coach Justin Langer has locked in Marnus Labuschagne for the first Test against Pakistan but two other batting slots remain vacant.
Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Joe Burns, Will Pucovski and Nic Maddinson lead a crowded field of contenders for the contest, which starts on November 21.
All six have been named in a strong Australia A side to face Pakistan in a three-day tour match in Perth starting on November 11.
Two batting positions remain open in the Test XI – one opening slot to partner David Warner and the other at No.6. Langer has confirmed the highly-regarded and in-form Labuschagne is safe.
Matthew Wade also looks set to keep his spot in Brisbane, while Steve Smith, Warner and skipper Tim Paine are certainties. Labuschagne could be forced down the order from No.3 depending on who else is picked.
“He’ll be in the first Test team,” Langer told reporters on Wednesday.
“He’s done a really good job. He’s played well in England, he’s played well back here.
“Where he bats will be dependent on who the other selections are.
“I go back to the point – and particularly with the way we’re playing Test cricket – if you can bat in the top three for your Sheffield Shield team, you can bat anywhere in the order.”
Incumbent opener Harris has been in solid Shield form but had a forgettable Ashes series. Khawaja and Test vice-captain Head were both axed during the same tour.
Pucovski is a strong chance to make his Test debut, having come close in the series against Sri Lanka last summer. The 21-year-old averaged 54 in the 2018-19 Sheffield Shield season.
“We’re really fortunate to have guys playing for Aus A in that three-day game against Pakistan and some guys playing Sheffield Shield cricket,” Langer said.
“We keep saying and we will keep pushing the point: keep performing, keep knocking on the door and there’s certainly one or two spots up for grabs for the first Test, so that’s really exciting.”
Alex Carey will captain Australia A for the day-night tour match at Perth Stadium, pipping his South Australian teammate Head for the leadership.
Carey is widely seen as a future Test captain and Langer said the talented glovesman had great leadership potential.
“The problem he’s got is that the current Australian captain is the wicketkeeper and there’s only one wicketkeeper in any side,” Langer said.
“Tim Paine’s the best wicketkeeper in the world, he’s our captain, he’s doing a brilliant job for us.
“‘Scary’ will bide his time and the opportunities will come at some point.”
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Of course, it's easy to say that they got it wrong, but there is no way to know if other batsmen would have performed any better. Based on the information known at the time, picking Harris seemed totally reasonable. He had just been the top-scorer in the last Shield season, so he had weight of runs behind him. Of course, it seems to be becoming more and more apparent that the good stats of some of the Victorian batsmen may have a lot to do with them getting to play on roads more than any other batsmen in Shield cricket.
Paul
Roar Guru
essentially the selectors made a judgment call and particularly in the case of Harris, appear to have that one wrong, given his underwhelming English form. Patterson's been stiff, only in terms of recent injury, but the poor guy made a swag of runs at the right time, then batted not so well after that and is out!
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Both of those guys lost their spots largely because of the return of Warner and Smith. There aren't any other returning players to come in at this point that should see the discarding of someone who scored a hundred in his last test. Still, I think Wade's position isn't exactly secure. A few low scores and he could be gone sooner rather than later.
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
Have 'Marsh' as a surname?
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
100% Agree, The selectors have a shocking record of throwing good young players under the bus. Renshaw and co. have all had this, and its time the selectors be sensible. I know Will Pucovski is an exciting talent and bats 3 at for Vic, but if he gets selected, he has to earn his stripes before going to three, much like Ponting and others did by starting at 5 or 6. The young man has shown he deserves a chance from good performances in England, especially compared to other fellow batters. Its time they reward him on flat tracks against lesser quality attacks
John Erichsen
Roar Guru
it is a position we have struggled to fill for some time. Now we have a player put his hand up in a tough series for top order batsmen and somehow there is still conjecture over where he should bat. If Labuschagne isn't batting at three, regardless of who else is selected, then Langer and co have made a mistake.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I agree. He's put his hand up, he's a cool head, express faith in him. What else do we need to do?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Langer's 'a-word' mincing Leaves me 'a-wincing'
Noah Barling
Roar Pro
Labuschagne has to be 3. No where else. We need aa good 3 to help out Smith and keep things stable
Paul
Roar Guru
Why does Wade look set to keep his place? Sure he made a hundred last Test innings but that sort of form line hasn't helped Burns or Patterson in recent times. I'm not saying he shouldn't be in the team, I'm just questioning why his place is a given?
Micko
Roar Rookie
So who are the bowlers?