‘On the table’: Bailey opens door to top order reshuffle amid crisis
George Bailey attempted to avoid hypotheticals, but Australia’s selection chair admitted everything is on the table, including moving Steve Smith up the order, for next month’s three-match Test tour of South Africa.
But Bailey rejected the premise that it was approaching the ‘now or never’ territory for Marnus Labuschagne, after the former world No.1 Test batter was retained in the 16-man squad despite the first-drop’s form frustrations continuing recently against Bangladesh.
George Bailey says it’s possible Steve Smith will return up the batting order for Australia. Getty Images
“No, I wouldn’t say that,” Bailey said. “But again, it’s a hypothetical, isn’t it? Yeah, I don’t really know how to answer that in terms of trying to predict what will happen in the future.”
He added: “It (Labuschagne’s position) was debated. Not shying away from the fact that we'd like some more runs from Marnus. That's clear, but we're also confident that he can still make a positive contribution to that squad.”
While Labuschagne was once again backed to rediscover his form, the same confidence wasn’t given to Jake Weatherald.
Weeks after paying the price for Australia’s historic first Test loss against Bangladesh, the left-hander was left out of the touring squad completely ahead of the first Test series on South African shores since the infamous ‘sandpapergate’ scandal rocked the game.
It means Australia will head to South Africa with just one specialist opener after Matt Renshaw kept his place in the squad despite his modest return against Bangladesh, where the left-hander made just eight on his return to the Test line-up. Travis Head, the reigning Allan Border Medallist, is expected to continue to open alongside Renshaw.
While much of the squad was predicted, rising West Australian talent Cooper Connolly was included for the first time since his one – and only – Test against Sri Lanka early last year, where the left-hander made just four in the side’s crushing nine-wicket win in Galle.
Bailey said it was “one of the nicer phone calls” he’s had recently as he informed the 23-year-old of his Test recall.
His return to the Test environment comes after the dashing left-hander posted his maiden ODI century against Bangladesh in June.
Matt Kuhnemann was the other surprise, with the left-arm tweaker included as one of two spin options alongside Nathan Lyon.
Queensland veteran Michael Neser was also backed to get over a calf injury, with Australia’s red-ball cricketers to head to South Africa on September 27 – 13 days before the first Test in Durban.
Cooper Connolly celebrates scoring a one-day century for Australia in Bangladesh in June. AP Photo/Mosaraf Hossain
After Australia’s top order missed out in the two-Test series against Bangladesh to once again put the spotlight back on the side’s fragile batting, much of the 20-minute press conference centred on Labuschagne’s struggles.
The right-hander’s last Test century came three years ago.
But after being dropped from the one-day side, Bailey said he hoped the ability to focus purely on the longest format would help the Queenslander return to form.
“I think Marn will continue to prepare and refine how he will prepare for this series,” Bailey said.
“Clearly, there's potentially a simplification or an ability to focus purely on red ball cricket for him in the fact that he won't be in the one-day series leading up to it. So that may be a benefit.
“I'm confident that he can still make a positive contribution.”
With Labuschagne showing no real signs of turning his form issues around, former Australian captain Ian Chappell last month called for Steve Smith to move back to No.3 so to bring more balance back to the middle-order.
The pressure continues to mount on Marnus Labuschagne. Getty Images
Chappell also called for Head, who scored crucial centuries against England early in last summer’s Ashes after moving to the top of the order, to return to No.5.
While Head will likely continue to open for now, Bailey admitted those talking points were occurring at the selection meetings.
“Yeah, I guess they're all questions that are on the table, and that's probably the consideration, isn't it?” he said.
“Anytime you do make a move, it's what are you taking away from where they are performing, and that's always going to be a question particularly around Travis, I think. The success that he had at five, but also the success he has had at the top, and what he provides to structure the team there.
“I think there are always going to be considerations.
“Steve (Smith) has batted at three for a large part of his career, hasn’t done it for a little while, and has had success there. Absolutely, that’ll be a conversation at some point.”
The Australian great has come in at first-drop in 18 Tests and averages 65.22 in the position, including eight centuries.
Selection chair George Bailey says Steve Smith’s (R) role is under consideration. Getty Images
Despite turning 37 three months ago, the run-scoring machine has shown little signs of a late-career cliff-dive like most.
He scored 155 runs across three innings against Bangladesh last month, including top scoring with 71 in the first innings during Australia’s humbling nine-wicket loss in the first Test in Darwin.
Australia squad for South Africa Tests
Pat Cummins, (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cooper Connolly, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster
