Australia face a potential shake-up of their batting order following their five-wicket defeat to South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s. Captain Pat Cummins has admitted that a “reset” is necessary ahead of three Tests in the West Indies and the upcoming home Ashes series.
Despite taking a 74-run first-innings lead, Australia’s top order crumbled, renewing concerns over their struggles since opener David Warner’s retirement 17 months ago. The attempt to establish Marnus Labuschagne as Usman Khawaja’s fifth opening partner since Warner’s departure failed to pay dividends, while the experiment of Cameron Green at number three also faltered.
Khajawa, now 38, found himself under scrutiny after scores of nought and six extended his lean run against pace bowling. Green managed only four runs in the first innings and was dismissed for a duck in the second, with the newly assembled top three accumulating just 49 runs across both innings.
Australia’s batting frailties were most exposed in the second innings, with only a resilient unbeaten 50 from fast bowler Mitchell Starc and 43 from wicketkeeper Alex Carey providing any resistance during South Africa’s chase.
“There’s probably quite a few people in the line-up that wish they could have done a little bit more,” Cummins told reporters. “The top three was an obvious one in this game.”
Looking ahead, Cummins sees the start of the 2027 World Test Championship cycle as an opportunity for a fresh beginning. The three-Test series in the West Indies, starting in Barbados on 25 June, offers a chance to reconsider the batting configuration.
“We’ve got a couple of weeks before the first Test in the Windies, so we’ll sit down and have a bit of a think after we digest this game,” said Cummins. “But for me, I think a new WTC cycle in some ways does feel like a bit of a reset. It’s probably more for the selectors and for me to sit down and map it ahead.”
Adding to Australia’s challenges, veteran Steve Smith, who produced a commanding 66 in the first innings, is doubtful for the opening West Indies Test after dislocating his finger. If Smith is ruled out, teenager Sam Konstas, who featured in two Tests against India last summer before being dropped, could return to partner Khawaja. This would allow Labuschagne to move back to number three, provided he retains his place after a disappointing average of just 25.63 in Tests during the 2024/25 season.
Selectors also have the option of including Josh Inglis, who was part of the World Test Championship squad, as an opener.
Australian media have been vocal about the need for change. The Australian newspaper described the defeat as a “wake-up call” with the Ashes series against England looming in November.
“Father Time is undefeated and selectors must now be decisive over key calls for the future,” the paper stated.
Cummins acknowledged that all options were being considered with only five months until the first Ashes Test in Perth on 20 November.
“Coming to this match, you’ve got guys like Sam Konstas and Scotty Boland and Josh Inglis, all those guys were right on the fringes,” he said. “So I think again, after this Test match, everyone gets thrown back into the conversation.”