Welcome to season three of the Great Australian Bat-Off. With the Ashes series looming, Australian selectors have confirmed that the opening four rounds of the Sheffield Shield, starting Saturday, will heavily influence the selection of the Test side’s top-order. While Usman Khawaja’s position seems secure despite recent form slumps, the identity of his opening partner remains uncertain, with at least ten candidates in contention.
This ongoing saga has become a familiar narrative over recent summers. Two years ago, the focus was on the Sheffield Shield’s opening batters as David Warner’s Test retirement approached, leading to a brief experiment with Steve Smith at the top of the order. Nathan McSweeney emerged victorious in the second season of the Bat-Off, surpassing competitors like Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign. However, McSweeney was dropped after just three matches.
Since Warner’s retirement last year, Khawaja has partnered with five different openers in Tests, none of whom have scored centuries, collectively averaging just 20.11. As George Bailey, the national selector, grows increasingly desperate, the upcoming Sheffield Shield rounds will be crucial in determining who will face England’s Jofra Archer and Mark Wood at Perth Stadium.
The Leading Contenders
Sam Konstas (NSW)
Test record: 163 runs at 16.30, HS 60
First-class record: 1250 runs at 32.89, HS 152
Recent red-ball form: 188 runs at 62.67 vs India A
Konstas, the incumbent, made a statement with a rapid century against India A in Lucknow last month and another impressive hundred in an intra-squad match. Despite these performances not directly impacting Ashes selection, they highlight his potential. However, his recent struggles in the Caribbean tour, where he averaged 11.44, have raised questions about his technique.
“He’s done a lot of work on his back-foot play, his front-foot play, about relaxing a little bit more at the crease and we’ve seen really positive signs,” Blues coach Greg Shipperd said.
Marnus Labuschagne (QLD)
Test record: 4435 runs at 46.19, HS 215
First-class record: 11,923 runs at 44.32, HS 215
Recent red-ball form: 208 runs at 17.33 this year
Labuschagne, with his eleven Test centuries, is hard to overlook. Although dropped after a form slump, he remains a big-game player with experience in the Ashes. He has expressed willingness to open if needed, having done so successfully in the County Championship.
“If opener is where I need to bat to be playing in the Test team, that’s fine,” Labuschagne told News Corp.
Nathan McSweeney (SA)
Test record: 71 runs at 14.40, HS 39
First-class record: 2777 runs at 36.53, HS 127*
Recent red-ball form: 160 runs at 80.00 vs India A
Despite being dropped last summer, McSweeney has been consistent in the Sheffield Shield and is seen as a leadership prospect. His struggles against India’s bowling attack last summer suggest he may be better suited to the middle order.
“I’d like to think that from my experience in the Test side, going through all these probably high-pressure moments over the last 12 months has made my game slightly better,” McSweeney shared with CODE Sports.
Other Notable Candidates
Jake Weatherald (TAS)
Test record: N/A
First-class record: 5021 runs at 37.47, HS 198
Recent red-ball form: 237 runs at 118.50 vs India A
Weatherald, last summer’s leading Sheffield Shield run-scorer, has put himself in contention with his aggressive style, drawing comparisons to David Warner. His mental health struggles in 2022 make his resurgence all the more remarkable.
“If he starts the year as he had last year, he’ll be well in the mix,” national selector George Bailey said.
Marcus Harris (VIC)
Test record: 607 runs at 25.29, HS 79
First-class record: 12,640 runs at 40.12, HS 250*
Recent red-ball form: 1027 runs at 60.41 in County Championship
Harris, once a regular in Test squads, has been out of the side since early 2022. His strong performance in the County Championship and experience make him a viable option, though he’s expected to bat at No. 3 for Victoria this summer.
“I just feel like I know my game better than I ever have before,” Harris told CODE Sports.
Cameron Bancroft (WA)
Test record: 446 runs at 26.23, HS 82*
First-class record: 11,706 runs at 39.02, HS 228*
Recent red-ball form: 796 runs at 46.82 in County Championship
Bancroft, the leading Sheffield Shield run-scorer in 2022-23, was a strong candidate to replace Warner but missed out due to poor form. With his 33rd birthday approaching, time is running out for a Test return.
“I’d love to see him get one more crack at Test cricket because I feel like he’s such a better player now,” said teammate Sam Whiteman.
The Broader Implications
The selection of Australia’s Test opener is not just about individual performance but also about team dynamics and strategy. The choice will influence how Australia approaches the Ashes, particularly in countering England’s formidable pace attack. With the Sheffield Shield as the proving ground, the next few weeks will be critical for these contenders to make their case.
As the cricketing world watches, the Great Australian Bat-Off continues to capture the imagination, promising another chapter in the storied rivalry between Australia and England. The outcome will not only decide who partners Khawaja but could also shape the future of Australian cricket’s top order.
