An all-rounder must be capable not only of bowling, but in long, tight stints. A less-remembered feature of Ben Stokes at Headingley in 2019 was his unbroken 15-over spell to play England back into the game the day before his mind-numbing century to win it. He was two for the price of one.
Mitch Marsh is not ready for that sort of heavy-duty load, so Australia can either bumble through with him for now or bring in late-blooming Tasmanian Beau Webster or Green’s WA contemporary, Aaron Hardie. Webster is 30, Hardie 25.
The India series begins in Perth, with a week’s break before the second Test under the Adelaide Oval lights. That sequence might encourage the selectors to think they could get away with mocking up a fifth bowler out of Marsh, Travis Head, and Marnus Labuschagne before introducing Webster or Hardie later in the series if needed.
Whatever happens, an opener must be installed. Either Marsh or Head could be promoted. Both have excelled there in short-form cricket, and their naturally attacking styles would work with the timeless Usman Khawaja as foil. But would the selectors rob middle-order Peter to pay new-ball Paul? It’s doubtful.
The opening specialist candidates include usual suspects Marcus Harris and Cam Bancroft, both 30-somethings. We know what they can do and what they have and haven’t got.
Mitch Marsh bowling for Australia.Credit: Getty Images
Then there is the tyro Sam Konstas. If he’s not familiar to you, don’t worry: he’s new to most, but coming fast. He has a happy knack for making hundreds. Some blokes can bat, but can’t make runs. Konstas makes big scores.
When Lyon played his first Test, Konstas hadn’t yet started school. He’s only 19 now.
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But that should be no impediment. Australia used always to turn to youth. Neil Harvey toured England at 19. Ian Craig was picked for Australia at 17 and was made captain at 22. More recently, Craig McDermott debuted at 18, and Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting at 20. Not all worked out immediately, but had ample time for second chances. The point is Australia dared in a way that has gone out of fashion. Green is the latter-day exception.
South Australian No.3 Nathan McSweeney will have done his prospects no harm with his final-day century to save South Australia in the same match as Konstas made twin tons. At 25, McSweeney fits the bill. If he’s not first cab off the rank, he might be second.
Australia still top the Test rankings. Counter-intuitive as it seems, it’s the right time to begin modernising the team when the opportunity presents. By the time the slide begins, it will be too late.
