Who is next after Warner? Cricket Australia finds it difficult to choose their test opener

In multiple interviews, David Warner mentioned that he doesn't want to leave Australia in a hanging situation where the youngsters look clueless about their strategies. But with Warner leaving the circuit, Australia looks clueless with its opening pair.

The high-profile Border Gavaskar Trophy is knocking on the door. After 10 months of Warner's retirement, Usman Khwaja is lacking a partner to open with. The search for an opener dominated headlines last summer, and even though some names have been thrown around, the answer remains elusive.

Steve Smith, always looked comfortbale at the 4th spot but might have to be promoted to the top. But that will create a vacancy in the middle order, with no solution. 

On the other hand, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, and Cameron Green are hesitant about opening. Green is blessed with a back injury that adds a better reason to add complexities.

The first rounds of Sheffield Shield may provide some answers, but for now, the selectors are struggling to make a decision.

Steve Smith: The Reluctant Opener

With Cameron Green returning to the middle, CA decided to promote Smith to the opening spot, which was a tactical move and was fruitful initially. He played an impressive innings of 91 runs at Gabba against the West Indies. 

However, he looked inconsistent with time, failing to mark his name against New Zealand. Smith himself seems ambivalent about continuing in the role, expressing comfort with batting wherever the team needs him but showing no enthusiasm for opening.

While turning the pages of his stats at 4th position, he has over 5,966 runs at an average of 61.50. Even Khwaja supports Smith at 4.

But in that case, who will fill the void at the top?

Is Marnus Labuschagne a Natural Choice?

Marnus Labuschagne has prior experience of opening 15 matches in first-class cricket for Glamorgan in the County Championship. But shifting him to Australia's 3rd position looks risky.

His number in 3rd position gives him enough support to stay—11 centuries and an average of 51.78. Moving him to the opener might fix one problem but create another.

It is not an issue with Marnus but an issue for Australia. Marnus has the tactical capabilities to adapt to the new role. But is Australia courageous enough to be flexible with him and destabilize the middle?

Travis Head: The Wildcard Option

Travis Head, the ultimate trauma to all the Indians, certainly looks like an option for opening, for his aggressive approach.

Head stepped into the opener’s role during Australia’s Test series in India last year, where he performed well, averaging 55.75 in five innings. His aggressive approach at the top could serve Australia well, particularly on fast Australian pitches.

However, it is Head himself who feels opening to be a "headache" for him. He strongly believes that his counter-attacking abilities should be an asset to the middle order.

This may, thus, push the selectors to drag him to the middle order. Not only that, there are also concerns about his vulnerability to short-pitched bowling, especially against India’s pace attack.

Again, the opening position feels unsorted having an overcrowded middle order.

Cameron Green: An Experiment Waiting to Happen

Before Steve Smith was promoted to opener, Cameron Green was considered a potential replacement for Warner. Although Green has never opened at the first-class level, some cricket pundits believe he has the skill and mindset to succeed as an opener. His powerful stroke play and ability to handle fast bowling make him a tempting option.

However, Green’s back injury in the United Kingdom complicates matters. Depending on his recovery, he may be unavailable to bowl, but selectors could still consider him a specialist batter. If Green is fit, he could be the answer Australia is looking for, but his inexperience at the top raises questions.

Mitchell Marsh: A Dark Horse for the Role

Marsh is believed to have sound technical abilities to face the new. Such abilities were showcased in limited-over cricket, as he has a better performance against fast bowlers.

He is actually someone the management can trust to thrust into the opening slot because of the proactive, aggressive approach he has shown in one-day cricket.

However, like Head, Marsh has found a comfortable niche in the middle order, particularly at No. 6. His reluctance towards opening in Test cricket has again disrupted the selectors to experiment with his position.

Cameron Bancroft: The Specialist Opener in Waiting?

While the internal options continue to be debated, one name from outside the Test XI is gaining traction—Cameron Bancroft. 

The Sheffield Shield has witnessed this guy amassing 1,728 runs at an average of 54.00 over the past two years. In case Australia is wandering around like a delirium, Bancroft should be on their plate.

But here again, another confusion may arise! The inclusion of Bancroft means dropping one specialized name from the middle order. Now, who will be ready to be the scapegoat for the team? That is something to keep an eye on!

Confusion with no solution

Australia faces a difficult decision as the home summer looms. With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting next month, the camp is in utter confusion and a hurry as well to come to a commendable conclusion.

The next few weeks of Sheffield Shield cricket will be critical in determining Australia’s plan.

Hopefully, the mighty Aussies will find a better replacement for the retired Warner to face the pace attack from India.