Next Aussie openers.

[K]

B. Horne:

"Mystery surrounding Australia's plans for India this summer took a dramatic twist after Marnus Labuschagne made a shock switch to open the batting in English cricket.

It was significant that Labuschagne would make the move in the first place and more noteworthy when he smashed a magnificent century in his first match at the top of the order for Glamorgan in the English County Championship.
...

... Usman Khawaja said last week he would be shocked if selectors did not at least discuss shifting Smith back down the order."

(Hun)

[K]

Matt Hayden reckons playing FTB as opener is "crazy":

'“The role of an opening batsman compared to a middle-order batsman is very different,” Hayden said in India last week. “And it didn’t take long to discover that when you get into challenging conditions – like they faced in the first series outside of Australia, which was in New Zealand – that opening the batting is very difficult.”'

(The Age)

[K]

Hayden's opening partner, Langer, also reckons FTB Smith should be moved down the order.

But of course Langer sugarcoats it all. Says FTB is "better suited" to batting down the order, or something like that.

[K]

"... Usman Khawaja said last week he would be shocked if selectors did not at least discuss shifting Smith back down the order."

(Hun)

McDonald admitted selectors are undecided on whether to continue the failed FTB-as-opener experiment.

'"That’s the question on everyone’s lips, isn’t it?" McDonald told SEN radio when asked where Smith would bat. "While we’ve got an eye to it, we haven’t made any firm decisions around that one.

"There’s plenty of speculation around that, but in the background I’d be lying if I said that conversation wasn’t happening.

"Clearly, Patty Cummins, as the captain, is a big part of that … we’ve already had some chats in Sydney initially around what we’re thinking for the summer, and that goes right down to depth bowling and all those hypotheticals and ‘what-ifs’ that we always go through.

"Clearly, if we make a shift with Steve Smith, then someone else will have to go to the top. We've seen Cameron Green be really successful at number four as well. So that adds layers to the decision-making. But nothing is firm and fixed at the moment."'

[Donny]

Does Head move up to open with Ussy, considering his recent outstanding short game form ?

Smith back to 4 and Green, to 5.

[K]

B. Horne:

Khawaja backs Head as opening partner

'"At the end of the day, it's a decision for the selectors," Khawaja said. "But if you have me opening, Labuschagne at three, Smith at four ... I feel like Travis Head might be best suited."
...

It is unknown whether selectors are yet to make a decision on who will open, although it seems almost certain the call has been made to move Smith back down the order.'

(The Australian)