The debate around who will open the batting for Australia this summer is in full-swing, with two former Test stars weighing in ahead of the series against India.
Following the retirement of David Warner at the start of this year, Steve Smith was given first crack alongside Usman Khawaja, delivering mixed results.
A difficult tour of New Zealand for the 35-year-old has prompted discussions about moving him back to his customary No.4 spot and finding a new partner for Khawaja.
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From the XI that last donned the baggy green, Travis Head and Cameron Green have been floated as options, while other candidates include Marcus Harris – who scored a century in the Sheffield Shield opener for Victoria this week – as well as Queensland’s Matt Renshaw and Western Australia’s Cameron Bancroft.
Teenage sensation Sam Konstas could even skyrocket into the mix if he backs up his maiden first-class century for NSW, such are the wraps on the young gun.
Wide World Of Sports takes a look at the options to open for Australia next month.
Steve Smith
The incumbent in the top spot is Smith, who moved up the order last summer.
While his record – albeit from a small sample size – didn’t set the world on fire, there’s reason to believe the former captain can make a fist of opening on a long-term basis.
Speaking at a media event in Mumbai this week, Shane Watson expressed his desire to see Smith remain alongside Khawaja moving forward.
“Steve Smith made the call to be able to open and I think he should stay there,” he said.
“The safety blanket for him would be moving back to No. 4, but I would love to see him continue to take on the opening spot because he’s got the skill to be able to do it,”
“I believe the reason why he didn’t do so well over the previous couple of Test matches is just he was a little bit off with his technique.
“You see him getting out a couple of ways which I’ve never really seen him get out. I know he would’ve had time just to go away, make some little technical adjustments
“He can be incredibly successful … knowing the incredible skill that he’s got.”
Watson isn’t the only one backing selectors to stick with the move, even if Smith might not love the idea tarnishing his incredible average in Test cricket.
“I also like Smith opening the batting – maybe more than he does,” former Test skipper Ian Healy said in an interview with SportsBoom.
Travis Head
There’s been speculation Head could make the switch this summer, which would give the Aussies a closer resemblance to the power-packed approach Warner brought.
But according to Healy, it might not be the right call for the South Australian.
“I think there is a reluctance from Travis to go up, which I would agree with,” he said.
“He is a much more scary proposition when the ball isn’t doing as much. He should be able to enjoy middle-order freedom.”
Head has opened the batting five times in Test cricket, scoring 223 runs at 55.75 but failing to reach triple-figures.
Marcus Harris
Couldn’t have asked for a better start to the red ball season.
He smashed 143 on day one against Tasmania at the Junction Oval to keep his name in the conversation.
Has constantly flirted on the outside of the Test squad but his average of 25.29 means there’s a constant perception he struggles to reach the heights of being a quality opener in the format.
Currently averages just under 40 in first class cricket.
Needs more than one hundred to force a call from the selectors.
Matt Renshaw
Appears to be one of the most likely inclusions considering he’s been consistently selected in Test squads.
But it hasn’t been a good start for Renshaw in the Sheffield Shield.
He was dismissed for six against Western Australia in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield.
Cameron Bancroft
The hard luck case of the opening conversation.
Bancroft has been the best batter in Sheffield Shield cricket for at least the last two seasons, piling on the runs in a bid to return to the Aussie side.
The sandpaper saga constantly hangs over his head, but captain Pat Cummins called Bancroft to let him know the repercussions that came from that weren’t the reason he was overlooked when David Warner retired.
It was the worst possible start to the season for Bancroft, gone for a golden duck.
But he’ll forever be in contention because he’s a specialist opener. And importantly, he can score runs.
The knock on Bancroft’s career at Test level has been around a habit to play around the ball on his pads.
Obviously we haven’t been able to see any improvements made around that yet.
Sam Konstas
It’s extremely far-fetched at this stage, but Konstas could be a 15-year player at the top level and his early Shield form will no doubt excite selectors.
“If a young opening batsman could force his way into the side, or we have to promote from within,” Healy said.
Konstas’ maiden ton for the Blues came in just his fifth appearance in Shield cricket and less than a week after his 19th birthday.