It's been quite a year for the Australian Test batting order

The Australian batting line up has come a long way in a year.

12 months ago, India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after a 137 run win in the Boxing Day Test.

Australia was rolled for 151 and 261 after India amassed 7/443 in the first innings and after Cheteshwar Pujara scored 106.

Australia’s top six at the time included only one playing for the national team currently, Travis Head. With Steve Smith and David Warner still playing Sydney grade cricket amidst their exile, the batting order just a year ago also included Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja and the Marsh brothers.

Many expected the Australian Test team results to improve with the return of Smith and Warner, however, few would have expected what was about to happen.

After a wonderful World Cup, Warner endured a horror Ashes series where Stuart Broad dominated him. Steve Smith quickly returned to his best in the Test series before a Jofra Archer short ball brought him undone.

In hindsight, Jofra did Australia a favour, as Marnus Labuschagne was brought into the team to replace Smith. He went on to score four half-centuries in the Ashes and, with Smith’s return, Australia’s top order felt a lot more secure.

Labuschagne has been the story for Australian cricket for 2019, being the world’s leading Test run-scorer for the year. Three centuries in as many innings against Pakistan and New Zealand has surely cemented his spot at number three.

Matthew Wade also cemented his spot during the Ashes series with two centuries. Whilst Neil Wagner perhaps got the better of him during the first two New Zealand Tests, his Pakistan form was solid.

Joe Burns may have considered himself unlucky not to open in the Ashes, but it may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the Queenslander. After being picked for the GABBA test, his 198 runs at an average of 33 in the home Tests probably have him under the most pressure leading into Sydney.

However, his relationship with Warner is impressive and Australian selectors will likely stick with him long term.

Prior to his Boxing Day Test century, Travis Head was probably the Australian batsman under the most pressure. Head has always had the talent but also had the bad habit of playing loose shots to get out after making a start.

(AP Photo/James Elsby)

His Melbourne innings suggest that Head has turned a corner. Head’s measured 114 off 234 balls was made on a pitch where others struggled to get in. He reined in some of his attacking flair and looked a class above in an impressive innings.

The series win over New Zealand is one to celebrate, even more so through the fact that neither Smith or Warner dominated. That brings sturdiness to Australia’s batting order that has not been there for a long time.

Some would suggest that the opposition bowling attacks have been weak. Pakistan, probably yes although they dismantled Australia A. New Zealand, definitely not, however, as the Black Caps have three bowlers in the world’s top 15 with Neil Wagner at three.

This was not a weak attack. Australia has just handled them well.

India, of course, remain the major challenge. With the Australian men’s team switching to T20 mode ahead of the World Cup in October, an Indian Test series may still be some time away.

For now though, Australia will go to Sydney this week ranked number two in the world and looking for a clean sweep of Test wins over the summer. 12 months ago, this seemed a long way away.