Australia's Top Eleven Batting Contenders Vying for the Opening Position in the Ashes, Led by Konstas and Labuschagne
In the world of Australian cricket, the anticipation for the upcoming Ashes series in 2025/26 is building. The opening batsman positions, however, remain a topic of much discussion. Here's a look at some contenders and their recent performances.
Jake Weatherald topped the runs chart in the last Sheffield Shield, amassing 906 runs at an impressive average of 50.33. Meanwhile, Cameron Bancroft has been opening for Gloucestershire in the County Championship this season. Despite averaging 26.46 in the 2024/25 Sheffield Shield, Bancroft has been a regular opener overseas.
Jason Sangha finished the Sheffield Shield with an unbeaten hundred in each of his last two games, scoring 704 runs at 78.22. However, it's worth noting that Sangha is not an opener, but he has been asked to lead Australia A.
Marcus Harris had an ordinary Sheffield Shield in 2024/25, scoring 561 runs at 33. Usman Khawaja, who had an exceptional year in 2023, but has averaged 31.28 since then, may open batting for Australia in the 2025/26 Ashes. Khawaja's struggles against Jasprit Bumrah were noted by the England team management.
Nathan McSweeney debuted as an opener against India but struggled against Bumrah and was dropped. He has since scored 94 opening for Australia A. Sam Konstas made his Test debut against India and stunned them, including against Bumrah, but was left out for the Sri Lanka series and the World Test Championship final.
Travis Head has opened batting for Australia eight times, but only in Asia, making him an unlikely opening candidate for the 2025/26 Ashes. Marnus Labuschagne, who is not an opener, scored 2,855 Test runs at 55.98 on home soil, but is very unlikely to open in the 2025/26 Ashes.
In April, Michael Vaughan suggested that Mitchell Marsh could open in the Ashes. However, Mitchell Marsh may potentially have a role in the 2025/26 Ashes, according to national selector George Bailey, but his position remains uncertain.
Campbell Kellaway made 738 runs at 41 in the last Sheffield Shield, but like Sangha, he is not an opener. Steve Smith, who opened batting for Australia in Test cricket after David Warner's retirement, is unlikely to do so again.
The opening batsman for Australia in the Ashes 2025/26 at home is yet to be officially announced. The race is on, and the cricket world eagerly awaits the decision.
Read also:
- Stopping Osteoporosis Treatment: Timeline Considerations
- Tobacco industry's suggested changes on a legislative modification are disregarded by health journalists
- Trump's Policies: Tariffs, AI, Surveillance, and Possible Martial Law
- Expanded Community Health Involvement by CK Birla Hospitals, Jaipur, Maintained Through Consistent Outreach Programs Across Rajasthan
