Australia needs to fix its ailing batting order. These 12 players are vying for the job

The batting line-up of Australia’s men’s Test team is in a state of flux heading into the four-match series against New Zealand, beginning next month.

Marnus Labuschagne is likely to be axed from No.3 after a disappointing series in South Africa, while the No.6 or No.7 slot – depending on where Alex Carey bats – is also up for grabs.

Matt Renshaw was elevated into the opening role for the final Test in South Africa, but does he remain there for the home campaign or return to the middle-order where had great success?

Travis Head and Cameron Green are expected to retain their spots, but what of Josh Inglis, who delivered a swashbuckling first-innings ton at Newlands after being a late replacement for Steve Smith?

While Smith is expected to be fit after dealing with a neck issue, he is resting at his base in New York, and still needs to prove his fitness.

Clearly, there is much riding on the next round of Sheffield Shield matches, beginning Wednesday, and through the three-match ODI series against England, beginning on Friday in Perth, for the selectors are also turning their attention to the heavy-duty Test tour of India from January.

In total, the Australian Test team has 10 matches scheduled over a period of little more than three months. From the start of the Perth Test against the Kiwis, that would amount to 50 days of cricket in the space of 96 days if all matches were to go the distance.

Here are the leading batting contenders who must deliver if they are to fill the vacant roles in the team ahead of that gruelling program.

Sam Konstas (NSW)

Will play Test cricket again, but close Shield observers say a return this summer to partner Travis Head at the top of the order may be too soon for the 21-year-old.

Has begun the new campaign like a runaway bull, thumping 67, 71, 151 not out and 149 for Australia A and NSW, but returned to earth with a thud, scoring just 5 and 2 against Tasmania. Regardless, former Test captain Mark Taylor says Konstas is near the “top of my list” for a recall.

Having failed with an overly aggressive approach in his first stint in the Test side, Konstas now has a more composed temperament, while simplifying his game. Will put pressure on the selectors if he goes big against the Redbacks.

Nathan McSweeney (South Australia)

Is facing the old England conundrum of being regarded as a future Test captain, but has yet to prove he can forge a spot as a blue-chip batsman.

Was let down by the selectors when told to open against India in his sole series, an unfamiliar role he failed in, and is seen as a No.3 or middle-order batter.

Has a one-day century and two Shield half-centuries this summer, but is only averaging 33 since the start of the 2024-25 season. Needs to slap down a major score.

Jack Clayton (Queensland)

Has been publicly endorsed by Usman Khawaja as a strong Test candidate in a summer when he is second on the Shield run-scoring list with 303 runs at 75.75.

The classy left-hander, who typically bats at No.4, has a century against Victoria (the seventh of his first-class career) and scores of 66 and 37 not out against South Australia, and an 88 against WA.

Since the start of the 2024-25 season, Clayton has 1,408 runs at 46.93. At 27, is in the prime of his career. Can also bowl left-arm spin.

Beau Webster (Tasmania)

The 200cm all-rounder may have played the last of his 12 Tests, having struggled to have an impact with either bat or ball in his two Tests in South Africa before he was dropped ahead of the Cape Town clash. Has done some nice things since his shock Test debut against India in 2025, but will find it tougher to return should Cameron Green resume bowling.

Kurtis Patterson (NSW)

At 33, age may count against the NSW left-hander, who has a Test century to his credit, and has averaged more than 45 since the start of the 2024-25 season. In another world, would have played more than the two Tests he managed in 2019. Has a century against WA this summer, but cannot afford to fail against the Redbacks.

Peter Handscomb (Victoria)

Has failed to pass 39 in six first-class innings this summer, and is a long-shot to win a Test recall, having played the last of his 20 Tests in 2023.

India, however, appears a better option. At 35, age is also against the Victorian, but the fact Travis Head recently name-checked him when declaring strong Test teams deserved to have senior players as replacements ensured he was added to this list.

“It’s great that we’ve got a strong Test team. It’s great that that means that we know that our next guys in are hardened first-class cricketers. If you look at the guys that you guys talk about, it’s the Kurtis Pattersons of the world, the Peter Handscombs. I’m going to miss people, but guys that have played a lot of first-class cricket,” Head said.

Marnus Labuschagne (Queensland)

Even the Test veteran’s batting coach concedes the incumbent Test No.3 will be axed, but a strong showing at the Gabba – should he play – may give the selectors pause to at least rethink. However, three years without a Test ton means he has run out of credits. Needs to work out which stump is best to take strike on.

Sam Harper (Victoria)

The wicket-keeper-batsman was a surprise squad call-up for South Africa, despite being Victoria’s Shield player of the year last summer. Would have liked more runs against Queensland last week in his newish role as an opener, and can ensure he remains in the Test conversation against WA.

And don’t forget this quartet in the Australian ODI squad facing England next week:

Josh Inglis (Western Australia)

Returned to the Test side in a blaze of glory with a dashing first-innings century at Newlands after Smith was a late scratching.

Big scores in the ODI series could make it extremely difficult for selectors to drop him.

Cooper Connolly (Western Australia)

Returned to the Test side at Newlands where he made 29 and 0 at No.7 and took a wicket with his left-arm finger spin. Has been chosen in Australia’s white-ball squad to face England, so the left-hander will miss the next Shield round.

The selectors clearly see the 23-year-old as a key plank of the future, but it’s worth noting he has yet to post a first-class century, averaging 39.4 in 14 first-class games.

Would relish playing in front of family and friends in the series opener against the Black Caps at Optus Stadium.

Ollie Peake (Victoria)

The slick left-hander is on the rise and firmly in the selectors’ thoughts, becoming part of the white-ball set-up. But the 20-year-old hasn’t done much for Victoria this summer, with just the one half-century and a pair of 30s. Unlikely to win Test selection yet, but could be in the mix if he slaps down three figures against England.

Jack Edwards (NSW)

The tall 26-year-old doesn’t attract the headlines, but the selectors have loved his progress, and he could fill the No.7 slot if it’s felt Beau Webster or Cooper Connolly are not worthy. Claimed 5-67 against the Proteas in an ODI in Johannesburg in September, and has a century against Tasmania and a four-wicket haul against WA this summer.

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