‘Didn’t we learn?’: Australian cricket coach’s curious call on opening debate

Australia’s cricket coach has weighed in on the debate over who should open the batting this summer, raising an intriguing theory.

Australian cricket coach Andrew McDonald believes the man who replaces David Warner at the top of the order doesn’t necessarily need to open the batting for his state.

Warner’s retirement has left a vacancy in the otherwise fairly settled Test side ahead of this summer’s five-match Test series against India.

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With Cameron Green out injured and Steve Smith set to move back to his favoured spot at No. 4, a rare opening has emerged in the Test side.

Smith opened the batting in two Tests against New Zealand earlier this year and it’s fair to say the experiment didn’t work.

A ‘bat-off’ in two Australia A games looms as the final hurdle for candidates including NSW teenager Sam Konstas and veterans Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft.

The trio appear the most likely candidates, but WA’s Josh Inglis and South Australia’s Nathan McSweeney are also compiling centuries in domestic cricket to press their cases.

Australia’s selectors have spoken about picking the “best six batters” in the country and figuring it out from there.

Does that mean middle order players like Inglis and McSweeney are in the running to replace Warner? McDonald says they’re in the mix.

Nathan McSweeney, Sam Konstas and Josh Inglis are vying for a Test debut.

“I like (when) they have experience in the position they’re playing in,” McDonald said on the ABC’s Offsiders program on Sunday.

“But historically across Australian cricket we’ve had some great success in elevating middle order players — namely Simon Katich, Shane Watson.

“This debate isn’t limited to this series either. The last series against India, Matthew Wade was elevated to the opening position from the middle order and Aaron Finch opened the batting as well, two series ago in Australia.

“It’s trying to work out what’s best for the team. Also, with those middle order players, sometimes they’re batting at three or four for their states because they’re the best players and don’t necessarily fill the opening slot.

“Are they (middle order players) capable of opening? I believe they are. It’s about getting a good feel on whether their technique and mindset can cope with the demands of opening in Test cricket. And let’s be honest, it’s a difficult job.”

Not everyone agreed with McDonald’s comments. The ABC’s Zane Bojack wrote on X: “Didn’t we learn from the Steve Smith experiment?”

Andrew McDonald is keeping an open mind on who will open for Australia. (Photo by Philip Brown/Getty Images)

McSweeney scored a century for South Australia in a One Day Cup game last week and the 25-year-old will captain Australia A against India A.

“I think he’s a legitimate chance to put his hand up for selection at some point in time,” McDonald said.

“Whether it is in the middle order or if his technique and the way he goes about it can push for an opening spot and be a legitimate chance there.

“Where do batters fit? Can you elevate a middle order player to the opening slot?

“I think he’s technically capable and got the mindset to be able to achieve good things at the top of the order. But whether that’s the time and place for him right now, that’s to be decided.”

McDonald doesn’t subscribe to the theory that giving a young player, such as Konstas, a Test debut against the might of India would be throwing him to the wolves.

“If they’re ready, they’re ready,” he said.

“If Sam’s capable and we feel as though he’s capable of filling that spot for the upcoming Indian series … I don’t think the opponent should come into the equation.

Sam Konstas is the frontrunner for the opening spot. Photo: Tom Parrish

“It’s purely ‘is this player good enough for Test cricket? Let’s give them the opportunity’. You’ve got to start against someone. You shouldn’t be holding back or protecting someone against a potential opponent.

“India is a strong opponent, but the advantage of playing in Australia in their first Test summer — the conditions are familiar, so what better place to start than in your own backyard?

“Whoever gets the opportunity will be given some time in that position.”

Asked about Warner’s offer to come out of retirement, McDonald joked: “Did he text? Yes he did text. Did he call? Yes he did call.”

The Aussie coach said selectors George Bailey and Tony Dodemaide would wait until after both Australia A games to decided on an opener.

Australia A takes on India A on Thursday. The first Test begins on November 22.

Originally published as ‘Didn’t we learn?’: Australian cricket coach’s curious call on opening debate