Cricket Australia selectors tip their hand for vacant Test role

The race for the key opening role in the Australian Test side is becoming clear ahead of Thursday’s tour match against India A.

Selectors may have just shown their hand as speculation builds over the Australian batting line-up for the looming Test match against India.

Ever since David Warner’s drawn out retirement, and Steve Smith’s cameo, a number of names have been thrown around as the next man up to partner Usman Khawaja atop the order.

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Former Test openers Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft, plus the untried Sam Konstas and Nathan McSweeney, have been the names most commonly discussed.

The option of an established lower order player making the move, such as Travis Head or Marnus Labuschagne, hasn’t gained any real traction.

Two matches between Australia A and India A were considered the key auditions for the role and only one name has truly emerged after the first clash and that is South Australian captain McSweeney.

Nathan McSweeney and Sam Konstas. Photos: Getty Images

While Konstas (0, 16 runs), Harris (17, 36) and Bancroft (0, 16) largely blew their lines in that match, McSweeney’s 39 and matchwinning 88 not out impressed all batting at No. 4.

Named captain for the series, McSweeney has now been elevated to an opening role for the second game, starting on Thursday at the MCG.

The 32-year-old Harris appears to be the only other remaining option as he has retained his place atop the order and will partner McSweeney in the four-day contest.

Despite never opening in first-class cricket, McSweeney appears on the verge of a baggy green cap for the first Test against India in Perth starting on November 22.

“As flagged prior to the series, the batting order was subject to adjustment throughout the two-match series,” chairman of selectors George Bailey said.

“Jimmy Peirson and Ollie Davies come into the team for Josh Philippe and Cooper Connolly, who has joined the ODI squad.

McSweeney hit the match winning runs against India A. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

“This match also gives us the chance to deploy a fresh bowling group in Scott Boland, Nathan McAndrew, Michael Neser and Corey Rocchiccioli after the three-day turnaround between games.

“We will use the opportunity this week to gather our final information before the announcement of the Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Series following the Australia A match.”

Bancroft will bat at first drop and Konstas at No. 4 in the four-day game.

The most realistic scenario, barring an absolute deluge of runs at the MCG, is that 31-year-old Bancroft will struggle to add to his 10 career Test matches, while 19-year-old Konstas is being groomed for a future role at the highest level.

McSweeney, who also captains South Australia, feels ready to make the leap.

“I think I am playing pretty well at the moment,” he said on Sunday.

“I am really confident in my game and I am progressing and playing some of the best innings I have played.

Marcus Harris seems to have kept his name in the mix. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images)

“Hopefully I can continue to learn and get better. If the opportunity comes, I feel like I am ready. If it doesn’t, hopefully I can get the call one day.”

Speaking on Wednesday morning, Warner is also leaning towards McSweeney as the man to get the key role for Australia.

“I think McSweeney’s got the runs on the board, but I think you look further down the track as well — I know you’ve got Marnus and Travis Head and Mitch Marsh, but (McSweeney’s got) leadership potential as well,” Warner stated.

“He looks a complete player and I think he’s a good fit with Uzzie at the top of the order.

“We’re in a good position, we’ve got a lot of talent which is exciting.”

AUSTRALIA A: Marcus Harris, Nathan McSweeney (c), Cameron Bancroft, Sam Konstas, Ollie Davies, Beau Webster, Jimmy Peirson, Michael Neser, Nathan McAndrew, Scott Boland, Corey Rocchiccioli.