Australian cricket: The next generation of Australian Test openers who could replace Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith
Steve Smith is our newest opener but at 35 – and with partner Usman Khawaja 37 – they won’t be around forever. DANIEL CHERNY looks at the next generation of opening prospects.
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Though George Bailey declared that Steve Smith could finish his career as an opener and that moving him to the top of the order was not an experiment per se, nearing 35 and having made murmurings for at least a year about the prospect of retirement, moving the former captain to the top of the order hardly looks like it solves a long-term issue.
Given the man down the other end – Usman Khawaja – is 37, Australia could once more be on the lookout for two new Test openers within a couple of years, and quite conceivably before the blue ribband Test tours of India and England in 2027.
Cameron Bancroft and Marcus Harris are both 31 – not too old to be out of the picture for future tours but possibly past their peak by the time the next vacancy becomes available.
Matt Renshaw, at 27, should still be very much in the window when one of Smith or Khawaja departs their respective posts and selection chair Bailey said on Wednesday that for the time being Renshaw is viewed as the next-best opener and not just picked in the squad for the West Indies because of his versatility.
But even if Renshaw takes one of the batting spots, that still leaves a likely opening in the medium term.
Having canvassed the views of state and Cricket Australia insiders, here are some of the next-generation candidates who could conceivably fill the breach when it becomes available.
HENRY HUNT (South Australia)
From NSW and via Canberra, Hunt looked well on his way to challenging for national selection a couple of summers ago, leading to a stint as SA captain. However his form with the Redbacks has regressed, and he is averaging just 25 for the Sheffield Shield season to date, albeit with a mighty 162 against a strong Queensland attack at the Gabba. At 27 has probably reached the crossroads of either being an international contender or just a solid domestic player. His first-class strike rate of 42 is the antithesis of Bazball.
WILL PUCOVSKI (Victoria)
The one player on this list with Test experience, and a half century against India no less. But myriad factors have conspired to mean his time in the baggy green is thus far limited to those five days in January 2021. Class is certainly not the issue but realistically he needs to string at least one full and strong summer together. The good news is he has played five Shield matches this season, albeit far from setting the world on fire with an average of 21.
CALEB JEWELL (Tasmania)
One of Tasmania’s handful of homegrown players, Jewell kicked on in recent years to earn an Australia A call-up last year. But the opener flattered to deceive across the pre-Christmas Shield stint, making just 173 runs in six games. Still only 26 so young enough to push again.
TIM WARD (Tasmania)
Another NSW export, left-hander Ward has established himself in the Apple Isle. His returns are steady if not spectacular with just one first-class century to his name, but at 25 there could yet be a bright future ahead.
HARRY DIXON (Victoria)
A left-hander who is very much in the prodigy category and will later this month test himself on the world stage at the under-19 World Cup. Modelled his game on David Warner and was picked up by the Melbourne Renegades before making his state debut so there is plenty of dash in his game. Backs himself in.
SAM KONSTAS (NSW)
Also in the Australian under-19 squad, Konstas has gone one better than Dixon by making his first-class debut for the Blues against Tasmania in late November while also being picked up by the Sydney Thunder. Has a reputation within the pathway system as a mature teen with a knack for excellent shot selection. Was anointed by ex-Australian player Kerry O’Keeffe as a Test opener of the future.
TEAGUE WYLLIE (Western Australia)
At 19, Wyllie is marginally older than Dixon and Konstas and made headlines when he posted a Shield ton in October of 2022. That remains his sole century at the level and a first-class average beneath 25 shows he has a fair way to go but there are signs he could be a future star.
JAKE FRASER-MCGURK (Victoria)
That he signed a BBL deal with the Melbourne Renegades at 16 and had made a Sheffield Shield half-century before he could legally drive provides a picture of this guy’s talents. Had plenty of maturing to do and headed to South Australia where he has thrived, posting the fastest List A ton in history and a Shield century against his former state Victoria. Modest first-class numbers overall and is a middle-order batter in the longer formats but has shone at the top in white-ball cricket.
AARON HARDIE (Western Australia)
The all-rounder has done his best work in the middle order for WA but with Cameron Green and Mitch Marsh already on the Test scene, could Hardie be suited to trying to grow his game at the top of the order? Has highly impressive numbers and alongside Nathan McSweeney was name-checked by Bailey on Wednesday so is already properly on the radar, playing for Australia last year in both white-ball formats.
Originally published as Australian cricket: The next generation of Australian Test openers who could replace Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith
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