Campbell Bancroft and Marcus Harris have been contacted by Australia captain Pat Cummins to reassure them that they continue to be considered for Tests, notwithstanding the fact that they were neglected subsequent to the retirement of David Warner.
The other two specialist openers continue to bat on the periphery, as Steven Smith is promoted to open, Cameron Green returns at No. 4, and Matt Renshaw is selected as the reserve batsman against the West Indies in Adelaide.
Midway through the most recent Sheffield Shield season, Bancroft maintained his position as the leading run scorer. In contrast, Harris, who holds a central contract and served as the reserve batter on the Ashes tour in 2017, is currently in the same position.
“Obviously private phone calls, but no real surprises,” Cummins said in Adelaide. “We love what they both are doing in first-class cricket. We love what they bring to any side they’re playing in. They’re doing all the right things. Unfortunately, they both just missed out on this one. So [the] message was ‘don’t change’.
“In international cricket, there’s always injuries or these guys [the incumbents] aren’t going to be around forever. Marcus and Cam are still relatively young, as is Renners. So once that opening comes up at some point, any one of them we’re confident can jump straight in and do a really good job.”
After the Sydney Test, when asked about replacing Warner, Cummins appeared ambivalent about the notion of a batting-order reshuffle. However, he has since stated that it made perfect sense to allow Green to return to his more natural position, once the option of Smith had been thoroughly considered.
“He can’t wait to get out there. Also think the new ball, maybe [there will be] a few more scoring options. It’s something that excites him”
Smith has expressed displeasure with the delay in coming on to bat from No. 4, and although he has not explicitly stated whether this will extend his Test career, he is determined that the change will not be a temporary arrangement. Already during training, Cummins has detected a distinction.
“Seeing someone who’s basically achieved everything in the game get really excited for a new challenge, you’ve got to entertain that,” he said. “You can already see his mind whirring about how he’s maybe going to go about it a bit differently.
“I’ve never seen him as happy and as energetic as I’ve seen him around the nets the last couple of days. He can’t wait to get out there. Also think the new ball, maybe [there will be] a few more scoring options. It’s something that excites him. So that makes sense and getting Greeny a spot where we think he is set up to succeed.”
A reorganization in the cordon will ensue due to Warner’s retirement and Green’s return. Usman Khawaja will occupy first slip, followed by Mitchell Marsh and Smith, with green positioning himself in the gully, an area where he has already established a noteworthy presence through a series of sensational catches.
Green provides an additional frontline bowling option for Cummins, giving him a six-man attack in addition to Travis Heads off spin.
