Former coach Justin Langer voiced concern over Australia’s unsettled top order ahead of the Ashes. He stressed that all-rounder Cameron Green must stay at No. 3 to ensure stability, warning that England could exploit the batting inconsistencies.
Former Baggy Greens head coach Justin Langer has insisted that all-rounder Cameron Green needs to bat at number three while voicing his concern about the instability prevailing in Australia’s batting order ahead of the much-anticipated Ashes against England on home turf.
Cricket Australia rolled out former fast bowler Merv Hughes at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) to promote 50 days until the commencement of the oldest rivalry in cricket. During the event, he offered a typical statement about England’s Bazball struggling to “bully” Australia on home soil.
Langer on Australia’s top 3 order
However, former Australian opener, Langer, is seeing the different side of the coin. He highlighted opposition bowlers could expose Australia’s unstable batting order, something England remains aware of.
“It’s unprecedented that Australia go into an Ashes without a really solid top three. England are aware. There’s a lot of talk about that. With their bowling attack, if they can exploit Australia’s top order early, then you know that’s where they’ll be getting their optimism from,” Langer said in Perth as quoted from The Sydney Morning Herald.
Instability after David Warner’s retirement
Since David Warner’s retirement, Australia have tested out several opening partners for Usman Khawaja, featuring Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis, and Sam Konstas.
“I think Usman Khawaja has had six opening partners in a year. There’s that instability. It can’t be healthy. That’s the truth. We’re sort of getting to that point where we’re having a shootout every year for the opening batter. The very fact that we’re talking about it, and the public are a bit confused about it, that’s saying something,” he added.
Green, who was sidelined for several months due to a back injury, returned to the spot and earned an instant promotion to the number three spot from his usual fifth. After initially enduring a torrid run, Green embraced the new role and appeared much assured, registering scores of 4, 0, 3, 15, 26, 52, 46, and 42 during the West Indies tour.
Green’s ideal batting position for the Ashes series
While at first glance, the scores appear lean, in the context of the results, some remain priceless, especially 46 and 42 in Kingston. Langer weighed in on the ideal position for Green and remained adamant that the 26-year-old should be retained for the number three position.
“He has to bat No.3, in my opinion, because otherwise there’s too much chopping and changing. He batted at three in the World Test Championship. He then batted at three in really tough conditions in a three-nil winning series for Australia, and he did a good job,” Langer said.
“He actually showed that he could play in that position. He averages 47, I think, in Sheffield Shield cricket. None of the others average over 40. Cameron Green domestically, you’d have to say, is the best performing player, and often the best performing player is at No.3. I’d definitely stick with him. They’ve got to find some continuity. It’s anyone’s guess who the next opener is going to be, but I think he should bat No.3,” he added.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed)