Pat Cummins confirms batting order, Australia XI for 1st Test against West Indies

Australian selectors have made a call on what the batting line-up will look like against the West Indies, confirming changes to the XI.

Australian captain Pat Cummins says Cameron Green remains a “long-term option” at No.3, backing him to fill the role in the West Indies despite failing in his first outing in the position.

Green will come in behind openers Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas in the opening Test against the West Indies in Barbados despite two single-figure scores in the World Test Championship after being moved to first drop.

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Josh Inglis will take injured Steve Smith’s place at No.4, but Cummins was adamant that Green, who made scores of four and then a second innings duck against South Africa at Lord’s, his first Test in more than a year, was the man to bat at No.3.

“We always like to not have too many moving parts,” Cummins said.

“We see (Green at three) as a long-term option.

“He’s hitting the ball really well; he’s moving really well. He had a Test match where it didn’t go to plan, and he only faced (five) balls.

Cameron Green failed to fire in the World Test Championship final. Picture: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

“The message is not to look into that too much. We’re really happy with where his game is placed and I dare say he’ll get a decent run at No.3.

“Not much has changed from last week and we’re happy with where everyone else is batting – Sammy (Konstas) is obviously an opener and the available spot for Josh this week is at No.4.”

Green replaces Marnus Labuschagne, who was axed after a slow decline in batting returns. His last Test century came more than two years ago and he failed after being elevated to open in the WTC final.

Australia has backed the same bowling attack that lost to the Proteas, resisting the urge to bring in a second spinner on a surface that remains an unknown.

“We don’t really know what to expect, but it feels like the three quicks are better suited for this wicket,” Cummins said at Kensington Oval on match eve.

“I think it’ll be pretty good wicket with maybe a little bit of spin later on in the game, (but) honestly, I’ve got no idea.”

The West Indies shocked the Australians last time they played, with Shamar Joseph bowling them to a memorable Test win at the Gabba.

But just four players from that game, including Joseph, remain in the West Indies line-up from that incredible eight-run win.

“When we played these guys in Australia, (more than) half the squad weren’t there; it’s a new squad,” Cummins noted ahead of the three-Test series.

“I like that part of Test cricket, you’ve got to problem solve really quickly when you’re out there.

Pat Cummins and Roston Chase ahead of the first Test. Picture: Randy Brooks / AFP

“But they’ve got some class fast bowlers and a new captain as well.

“That was a great series a couple years ago and we weren’t quite up to scratch in the Gabba Test and a couple of the West Indian guys, particularly Shamar, had a day out.

“I’m sure the batters have been talking about how to manage him and counter that … it’s a new (Test) cycle, so we’re really keen to get off to a good start and put ourselves at the top of that WTC.”

West Indies XI: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Keacy Carty, Brandon King, Roston Chase (c), Shai Hope (wk), Justin Greaves, Jomel Warrican, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales

Australia XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Beau Webster, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Originally published as Pat Cummins confirms batting order, Australia XI for 1st Test against West Indies