The 2020-21 Test summer was one of the more disastrous in recent years for the Australian team.
A 2-1 series loss to a heavily undermanned Indian side left a lot of questions to be asked. These questions weren’t able to be answered in February, as the tour of South Africa was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns.
Looking ahead, the Aussies are set to play a lone Test against Afghanistan in November before the start of the Ashes. This will serve as a good warm-up for the major series, against a quality Afghan bowling attack.
The way the team will line up for the first Test against the English is relatively predictable. David Warner and Will Pucovski (fitness pending) will likely open, followed by Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Cameron Green at six and captain Tim Paine at seven.
The only real question mark when it comes to the batting line-up is who will bat at five. Here are some potential options.
Travis Head
Travis Head has endured a disappointing fall in the international scene since being named vice-captain in 2019. After a great series against New Zealand in the 2019-20 summer, Head was disappointing against India. In three innings, he scored seven, 38, and 17.
He was then perhaps harshly dropped from the side in favour of Matthew Wade for the last two Test matches. However, he scored 223 in his return for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.
Before the India series, he had scored a 171* and 151, and was one of the standout batsman of the season. Still just 27 as well, Head is a talented player who may just deserve another shot.
He is currently in the UK with Sussex participating in their county tournament. Good performances here will definitely boost his chances of making the Test team.
(William West/AFP/Getty Images)
Moises Henriques
Another talented batsman in our ranks is Moises Henriques. The Portugal-born all-rounder was part of the India squad, but only appeared in white-ball matches.
He earned this spot based on innings of 167 against Western Australia and 113 against Tasmania. In his final match before leaving for the IPL, he guided New South Wales to a win over South Australia with an unbeaten 78 in the second innings.
He is also handy with the ball, which does not hurt to have as an option. Henriques is currently with the Punjab Kings in the IPL, perhaps looking to increase his chance of making the squad for the T20 World Cup.
Peter Handscomb
Peter Handscomb is also a viable option for the number five spot. He was stellar in the Shield for Victoria, scoring 84, 124*, 73 and 54*.
He has experience for Australia, playing 16 Tests between 2016 and 2019. Handscomb is now over in the UK, captaining Middlesex, but has started terribly with two ducks and a 17 in three innings so far. Some terrific form before November would be needed for consideration.
Josh Inglis
Josh Inglis is one of the most dynamic Australian batsman there is. He started the Shield season with a rapid 153*, and just kept on going. Scores of 51 and 125 (at over a run a ball) were not enough to earn a call-up to the Test squad against India.
Instead he played Big Bash cricket with the Perth Scorchers before the Shield season resumption. He scored another century and a 50 in limited batting time due to numerous mega knocks from Cameron Green that led to declaring before Inglis got a chance to bat.
Still just 26, Inglis undoubtedly has a bright future for Australia. However, his future may be as Tim Paine’s replacement as a number seven wicketkeeper-batsman, rather than at number five.
These are the four main options to bat at number five for Australia during the Ashes. It will be interesting to see who the selectors go with and whether they will stick with them for all five games.
Rohan
Roar Rookie
I've changed my mind about Warner. Go for any good technical player under 24 yo. Blood a few into test level.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Yeah, it will always be a case of what could have been with Maxwell
Ben Palliyaguru
Roar Rookie
Theres good and bad to Street. Personally, if hes going to bat 120 balls for 40 runs, and keep Marnus and Smith protected from the new ball, i'll be fine with it. As long as Warner is at the other end with at least a strike rate of 55+.
Ben Palliyaguru
Roar Rookie
harris to open? I prefer him to Bancroft personally. He just hit a century in county
Ben Palliyaguru
Roar Rookie
i don't like the thought of marnus opening. his wicket is too valuable. Abbott is a great batsman but I don't think his bowling is good enough to warrant him a place here
Ben Palliyaguru
Roar Rookie
i would be open to Harris and Warner opening with Pucovski at 5
Ben Palliyaguru
Roar Rookie
agreed. Odd how Carey didn't go and play county
Rohan
Roar Rookie
I really enjoy the lateral thinking LOL. Here's mine... really. 1. Labuschagne (C) 2. Pucovski 3. Smith 4. Green 5. Warner 6. Head/Maxwell 7. Inglis 8. Abbott 9. Cummins (VC) 10. Swepson 11. Hazelwood 12. Head/Maxwell Other squad - Neser, Whiteman, Renshaw, Wildermuth. New coach from shortlist negotiated with and approved by Lab.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
He is! Also be interesting to see how Handscomb and Harris go. I wish Carey was there as well, would have been interesting.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
Here is the thing, I understand the point about two juniors batting next to each other in the line up, but from the way Green played in his first few games he really doesnt seem out of his depth. And Pucovski also looked very settled. All I am saying is that neither looks really 'green', both look very settled
bowledover
Roar Rookie
I'd love to get Pucovski into the team and batting and if he doesnt open, number 5 looks an option. I dont see Warner being around much longer, so the opening slot(s) do need to be filled. Harris scored a county 100 just the other day, once again could be shaping as a prospect to open.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
obviously, the number 5 is out of Head and Handscomb, not Labuschange. I also didnt think Carey was playing county cricket (?) and went unsold in the IPL. I think if he truly wanted to push his place in the test side he should have chosen County - as other articles on here have mentioned.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
I will be very interested to see how Labuschange, Head and Handscomb perform in the county season - from what Ive seen, none of them are doing particularly well. Hopefully we see some form. I could see that being a basis upon which a a number 5 could be picked, though you'd think Head has the inside running.
Peter Warrington
Guest
they've self perpetuated that, kinda. not picking him for Australia A in India back in 18. not picking him for the UAE that next summer. not including him in the 200 person squad that played off before the Ashes last winter. constantly scheduling meaningless T20 and ODI international series against the Shield. they'd be pretty happy with their work I reckon.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
One thing that often comes up when comparing different times is whether there were more batsmen averaging higher in those days because we had more quality batsmen or because it was just a period of having more flat decks in the Shield. But I think the fact that most of those who did make it into test cricket also thrived there suggests it is likely the former, that we were just producing better batsmen.
JamesH
Roar Guru
His career average ended at about 43, but from 96/97 to 00/01 his Shield season averages were 60.47, 41.77, 53.93, 48.70 and 66.87. On that form he'd just about be our first opener picked in this era. And yeah, he was a lovely bloke around the club. I played my first 1s game alongside him at Lindisfarne. He took one look at my daggy old GM batting gloves and promptly gifted me a pair of his.
Ace
Roar Rookie
There are some good responses to your article. The one thing that stands out to me is that it's been difficult to lock down the number 5 spot. So, I tend to agree with sending Will Pucovski to 5 and introduce a new younger opener like Inglis or Street with an eye to the future
Nudge
Roar Rookie
Not so sure about that Chris. If he is a guy that can very consistently bat for 100 balls that’s going to suit the strength of our batting line up which is clearly Labuschagne and Smith. We know Warner’s record at home is incredible so if he has the summer he is likely to have and Street faces 100 odd balls even for not much runs, and Labuschagne and Smith are consistently protected from the néw ball, Australia can’t lose the ashes.
Nudge
Roar Rookie
You’ve nailed that Paul. I would really like to see Pucovski at 5 I think that’s his best position, certainly for the near future. Hopefully he is fit and ready to go and either Bancroft or Street get off to a flyer at the start of the shield
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
He was a good player, Jamie Cox, but averaged 42 in an era where there were a number of players averaging over 50. As a late teenager I played in the same club for a few years, though playing in lower grades, never actually played with him. Yet one day he said hello to me by name. I was rather shocked he even had any idea who I was. State players like Cox and Hills were away more than they were around. Yet clearly he still took an interest in young players in the lower grades of the club to actually know who I was. I always respected him even more for that.