Australia’s coach, Andrew McDonald, has indicated that the top six batters who concluded the previous Test season are likely to be the starting lineup for the highly anticipated five-match series against India later this year. However, he has emphasized that the batting order is not set in stone, leaving room for adjustments.
One of the key decisions involves Steve Smith’s position. Smith, who shifted to open the batting following David Warner’s retirement midway through the last season, might not necessarily retain that spot. McDonald, speaking from England on Wednesday, acknowledged that they are still evaluating the situation. “While we’ve got an eye to it, we haven’t made any firm decisions around that one,” he said.
The potential shift in Smith’s position opens up opportunities for other players to move up the order. Notably, Cameron Green’s success at number four during the last series against New Zealand adds another layer of complexity to the selection process.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Smith’s role, McDonald has expressed confidence in the core batting group. He believes that the team that played against New Zealand in the final series of the last season, if they are fit and prepared, would be the ideal candidates to fill the top six spots.
However, Australia’s focus remains on the India series. The team is likely to prioritize the upcoming Test series against India, potentially resting players from the white-ball series against Pakistan that precedes it, allowing them to concentrate on red-ball cricket in the Sheffield Shield. The India series kicks off in Perth on November 22, followed by Tests in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
