Australia face Test batting reshuffle as 12 contenders vie for spots

The batting line-up of Australia’s men’s Test team is in a state of flux heading into the four-match series against New Zealand, beginning next month. Marnus Labuschagne is likely to be axed from No.3 after a disappointing series in South Africa, while the No.6 or No.7 slot, depending on where Alex Carey bats, is also up for grabs.

Peter Handscomb, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Inglis and Sam Konstas are among those competing for spots in the Australian Test batting line-up this summer. Matt Renshaw was elevated into the opening role for the final Test in South Africa, but it remains unclear whether he will stay there for the home campaign or return to the middle order. Travis Head and Cameron Green are expected to retain their spots, but Josh Inglis delivered a swashbuckling first-innings century at Newlands after being a late replacement for Steve Smith. Smith is expected to be fit after dealing with a neck issue but still needs to prove his fitness.

Much rides on the next round of Sheffield Shield matches, beginning Wednesday, and the three-match ODI series against England, beginning Friday in Perth. Selectors are also turning their attention to the heavy-duty Test tour of India from January. In total, the Australian Test team has 10 matches scheduled over a period of little more than three months. From the start of the Perth Test against the Kiwis, that would amount to 50 days of cricket in the space of 96 days if all matches were to go the distance.

The leading batting contenders who must deliver include Sam Konstas (NSW), who former Test captain Mark Taylor says is near the “top of my list” for a recall. Nathan McSweeney (South Australia) is regarded as a future Test captain but has yet to prove he can forge a spot as a blue-chip batsman. Jack Clayton (Queensland), 27, has been publicly endorsed by Usman Khawaja and is second on the Shield run-scoring list with 303 runs at 75.75.

Beau Webster (Tasmania) may have played his last of 12 Tests after struggling in South Africa. Kurtis Patterson (NSW), 33, has a Test century and has averaged more than 45 since the start of the 2024-25 season but age may count against him. Peter Handscomb (Victoria) has failed to pass 39 in six first-class innings this summer and is a long-shot for a Test recall, though Travis Head recently name-checked him as a senior replacement. Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland) has gone three years without a Test ton, and his batting coach concedes he will be axed, though a strong showing at the Gabba, should he play, may give the selectors pause. Sam Harper (Victoria) was a surprise squad call-up for South Africa.

The quartet in Australia’s ODI squad facing England also includes Josh Inglis (Western Australia), who returned to the Test side with a dashing first-innings century at Newlands. Cooper Connolly (Western Australia) made 29 and 0 at No.7 in his second Test in South Africa, and the selectors see the 23-year-old as a key plank of the future. Ollie Peake (Victoria), 20, is in the selectors’ thoughts but unlikely to win Test selection yet. Jack Edwards (NSW), 26, could fill the No.7 slot if selectors feel Beau Webster or Cooper Connolly are not worthy, and claimed 5-67 against the Proteas in an ODI in September.