Never before has an Australia A match starting in October generated so much selection debate ahead of a summer of Test cricket.
Former Australia Test opener Ed Cowan best summed up the state of play this week on the ABC’s Grandstand Cricket Podcast.
“This is a huge two weeks,” Cowan said. “Make no mistake about it. Go for it fellas. May the best person win.”
The Australia A and India A fixture this week, beginning on Thursday morning at 11am (AEDT) in Mackay, is hugely significant in the battle to find David Warner’s replacement at the top of the batting order for a five-Test series against India.
Another four-day Australia A match takes place on November 7 at the MCG. Coach Andrew McDonald said selectors won’t finalise the Test squad until after that A game.
But it is the upcoming game that holds the most weight.
Let’s run our eye over what’s at stake for those in Mackay.
Sam Konstas raises the bat in the Sheffield Shield.Credit: Getty Images
Those with the most to gain
Sam Konstas
At the start of this month, Sam Konstas’ name was not in the conversation when it came to Test calculations.
By the end of the last Sheffield Shield season, Konstas was 64th on the run-scorers list. His 155 runs from six innings at an average of 25.83 did not reflect the teenager’s talent. Astute judges quietly labelled him the next superstar of Australian cricket.
The Blues opener’s twin centuries against South Australia (152 and 105) in early October made people sit up and take notice of the 19-year-old with a terrific technique. Some closely involved in the game wanted Konstas thrown straight into the Test team.
A dubious lbw decision against Victoria’s Scott Boland removed Konstas for just two at the MCG last week, but a knock of 43 in the second innings while NSW’s top order failed around him impressed national selectors.
Should Konstas make a big score in Mackay, against an Indian attack without its Test stars, he could mount a compelling case for selectors who know they have a special player on their hands. With McDonald and Test skipper Pat Cummins adamant that Konstas’ age would not be a factor, perhaps he is closer to a Test debut than many think.
However, without at least a half-century, it is difficult to see Konstas playing against India in Perth on November 22.
Australia A squad
Nathan McSweeney (c), Cameron Bancroft, Scott Boland, Jordan Buckingham, Cooper Connolly, Ollie Davies, Brendan Doggett, Marcus Harris, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Michael Neser, Todd Murphy, Fergus O’Neill, Jimmy Peirson, Josh Philippe, Corey Rocchiccioli, Beau Webster.
Marcus Harris
The oldest of the contenders to open the batting, Harris’ Test average of 25.29 from 14 matches does not make for great reading, but tidy performances at first-class level have helped Harris remain in the frame. He’s been the spare batter in many Australian squads and wants another taste of international cricket.
Harris is likely to open the batting in both Australia A matches, which might provide a clue in terms of his spot in the pecking order. He has made scores of 143, 52, 26 and 16 this Sheffield Shield season.
It seems to be now or never for Harris.
Marcus Harris is expected to open in both games for Australia A.Credit: The Age
Cameron Bancroft
Four weeks ago, Bancroft was in plenty of experts’ Test teams, based on the sheer volume of runs he has amassed in recent years.
Then came scores of 0, 0, 8 and 2, to go with 33 and 14 in one-day matches. It’s the worst possible time to be out of form.
The most frustrating part for the West Australian is that his past two Sheffield Shield seasons were profitable: 945 runs at 59 in 2022-23 to go with 778 runs at 48.62 last season. He’s not out of the race yet but would need a big score – ideally triple figures – to stake his claim for the spot he failed to lock down after he returned from his one-year ban.
Chief selector George Bailey indicated this week Bancroft’s body of work was important, but it would be bold for selectors to throw in an opener bereft of runs and low on confidence against someone like Jasprit Bumrah.
“I reached out to him after the first Shield game,” Bailey said on Monday. “He’s been consistent for a really long period of time. That’s got to count for something. Missing out in a couple of Shield games isn’t going to be the be-all and end-all when he has been as consistent as he has been.”
However, Bancroft would buoyed by comments made by Steve Waugh on Nine’s Today Show on Wednesday.
“First Test match, you’ve probably got to go with an experienced opener against I think probably the best bowler in the world; Jasprit Bumrah,” Waugh said. “I think Bancroft at this stage has probably got the inside running.”
Nathan McSweeney
Another name who has been linked with a call-up more and more in recent weeks. McSweeney, the Queenslander plying his trade for South Australia, is captaining Australia A for both matches and wants a Test debut.
Red ball scores of 55, 127 not out, 37 and 72 this year significantly helped McSweeney’s cause before a knock of 137 in a one-day match last week continued his purple patch.
McSweeney is not a traditional opener. Could Marnus Labuschagne go up to open and McSweeney bat at three? Funnier things have happened.
“I think I’m playing probably the best cricket I have, batting No.3 for South Australia and pretty much my whole career,” McSweeney told reporters in Mackay. “It’s not too dissimilar [to opening].
“Being talked about to play for your country’s a great honour. Hopefully, we can all take [our chances] and make a really hard job for the selectors.”
