England Arrive in Australia With More Settled Batting Order Than Hosts Ahead of Ashes
It’s not often that England travel to Australia for an Ashes series with a more settled batting order than their opponents. But this time, as the much-anticipated series approaches, that’s exactly the case.
Since Brendon McCullum took charge as England head coach, the top six has remained largely consistent, building a stability that has given England confidence heading into the winter. Australia, on the other hand, face a different story. Their struggles to replace David Warner at the top of the order, combined with ongoing uncertainty at number three, have left them scrambling for solutions.
The last time an Australian batter scored a Test century at first drop was more than two years ago—Marnus Labuschagne’s 111 against England at Old Trafford in the 2023 Ashes. That void remains glaring as the Sheffield Shield, Australia’s domestic four-day competition, begins, with selectors still searching for reliable options.
Former England spinner Phil Tufnell summed it up:
“Great sides always had a strong opening pair and a world-class number three. If England can expose that fragility early, it could make all the difference. This batting line-up looks vulnerable.”
With the first Test scheduled in Perth on 21 November, BBC Sport takes a closer look at the candidates vying to open alongside Usman Khawaja and the battle for the crucial number-three spot.
Who Will Partner Khawaja at the Top?
Usman Khawaja, the veteran left-hander averaging 40.52 in Ashes contests, is set to anchor the batting once again. Turning 39 during the third Test, Khawaja is seen as the stabilising force, though his form has been patchy in recent years. Earlier this year, he proved his class with a double century against Sri Lanka in Galle, reinforcing his value, particularly against spin.
Australia have tested several options as potential openers: Travis Head, Steve Smith, Sam Konstas, Nathan McSweeney, and Labuschagne. None, however, cemented the role. Head and Smith have since returned to their natural middle-order positions, where they will be crucial run-scorers.
Sam Konstas, the 20-year-old opener, had a promising start against India but faltered badly against the West Indies, averaging only 8.33 in three Tests. Though he struck a century for Australia A earlier this month, doubts linger about whether he’s ready for Ashes intensity.
If not Konstas, the selectors may turn to familiar faces. Cameron Bancroft and Matthew Renshaw, both tried before, remain in contention. Another wildcard option is uncapped Jake Weatherald, who impressed with 183 in a high-scoring draw against Sri Lanka A.
Former Australia wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell has put forward a bolder idea: Leeds-born Josh Inglis. Although better known for his middle-order role in Tests and white-ball cricket, Inglis has opened in T20 matches and shown adaptability.
“Since Warner retired, we’ve lost our mojo at the top,” Campbell said. “Inglis is aggressive, technically sound, and used to international cricket. He’s the kind of risk worth taking.”
In the 2023–24 Sheffield Shield season, Inglis averaged 72.6 for Western Australia, including a staggering average of 99 at Perth’s WACA, not far from the venue for the first Ashes Test. With such numbers, his case cannot be ignored.
The Search for a Reliable Number Three
While the middle order looks secure with Steve Smith at four and Travis Head at five, the number-three slot remains unresolved.
Marnus Labuschagne, once the backbone of Australia’s batting, has endured a lean patch. Though selectors may recall him if he rediscovers form, his grip on the position is far from secure.
Nathan McSweeney has emerged as a serious contender. Having debuted as an opener against India last winter, he shifted to number three in the India A series, where he impressed with scores of 74 and an unbeaten 85. At 26, McSweeney’s youth and form make him a frontrunner.
Another possibility is Cameron Green. The 26-year-old all-rounder, already capped 32 times, has shown resilience at first drop, including during the World Test Championship final against South Africa. In the Caribbean this summer, he made consistent contributions on tough pitches. Playing Green at three could also allow selectors to slot Beau Webster at six, bolstering Australia’s seam-bowling depth and easing the workload on Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, who may all be playing their last Ashes.
If selectors look purely at domestic numbers, Kurtis Patterson and Jack Clayton stand out. Patterson scored 383 runs at an average of 63.8, while Clayton topped the averages with 71.3. Both performed strongly on Test venues like the MCG and SCG, making them outside candidates.
England’s Advantage and Australia’s Dilemma
England’s settled top six provides them with a rare edge in Australia. While Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Ollie Pope will face fierce scrutiny in hostile conditions, their established roles offer stability that Australia currently lacks.
For Australia, the stakes are high. A misfiring top three could leave too much pressure on Smith, Head, and Khawaja. With South Africa and India also looming on the Test calendar, selectors are desperate to find solutions that will last beyond this Ashes.
The next few weeks of Sheffield Shield cricket and Australia’s white-ball matches against New Zealand and India will be crucial auditions. Performances in these games may decide who takes guard when the Ashes begin in Perth.
As Phil Tufnell pointed out, Ashes history shows that strong top-order partnerships often define the series. For now, England appear to have the upper hand, but Australia’s domestic hopefuls still have time to make their case.